Republicans want to bash Kamala Harris on policy, Trump isn't helping
WASHINGTON – Republicans want to debate Vice President Kamala Harris on policy. Former President Donald Trump can’t help himself from talking about her race.
It's a juxtaposition that was on full display the day after the 2024 Republican presidential nominee questioned his likely Democratic rival's racial identity on stage at an event in Chicago hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists. Pressed for comment on Thursday, Republican senators insisted their party's leader would be better off focusing on the issues voters care about in November.
“You, the press, will attack relentlessly. I’m going to focus on issues of substance, I’m going to focus on policies that actually make a difference in people’s lives,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told reporters, largely brushing off Trump’s remarks. “I understand that the press behaves like a school of piranhas obsessing over whatever comments came out of Donald Trump’s mouth.”
With less than 100 days until the election, Republicans like Cruz are trying to keep their message focused even while the standard bearer of their party digs in on attacking Harris’ race. However, they acknowledge that Trump is unlikely to heed their warnings. It's a familiar situation for GOP lawmakers who found themselves answering for the former president’s controversial remarks in scenes on Capitol Hill that were reminiscent of the first Trump administration, when his every remark (or tweet) would dominate news cycles.
“Oh well, you know, he’s not serious.” Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., said. “He likes to goad you. You can’t take him seriously when he’s talking about stuff like this.”
Just a little more than a week ago, Republican leaders – dogged by House members who claimed she is a “DEI hire” – advised their members to focus on Harris’ connection to President Joe Biden’s policy record.
The guidance from the GOP’s top brass on Capitol Hill was mostly heeded, with a few exceptions. But earlier this week, Trump said Harris decided to “turn Black” in an interview before an annual NABJ conference.
Trump’s statement could have been interpreted as a one-off remark from the former president renowned for stirring controversy. That was until Trump, just a couple hours after the interview, took to Truth Social, his social media platform, and posted: “Crazy Kamala is saying she’s Indian, not Black. This is a big deal. Stone cold phony. She uses everybody, including her racial identity!”
The day after, on Thursday morning, Trump did it again. “Thank you Kamala for the nice picture you sent from many years ago! Your warmth, friendship, and love of your Indian Heritage are very much appreciated,” Trump posted, sharing a photo of Harris with her family members dressed in sarees.
Most Republican senators sought to steer clear of directly rebuking Trump.
“I just can’t take the bait,” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said. “In my world, all I’m talking about are the Biden-Harris administration failures.”
“Ah yeah. I saw that. I wish we’d talk more about her failed policies,” added Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, one of two senators who are gunning to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell as GOP leader later this year. “She owns all of the failed policies of the Biden-Harris administration and has taken the most extreme positions that you can possibly imagine.”
The hope from Republicans is that tying Harris to the Biden administration will give them better chances of winning several down-ballot races that are crucial to controlling Washington, which raises the question: Is Trump’s commentary, which is clearly deviating from policy debates, hurting Republicans?
“Well," Lummis said, "neither party should be focused on skin color for crying out loud."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: GOP senators want to talk about Harris and policy: Trump isn't helping
