Trump Talk, Harris Action: Who’s Stronger?

Donald Trump’s self-styled image of toughness is a cornerstone of his public persona. He frequently lauds authoritarian figures abroad for their strength, urges law enforcement to handle suspects roughly, and often uses working-class Americans as symbols of his ruggedness during rallies. Yet, Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, is pushing back against this portrayal, exposing what she sees as a facade.

Harris, drawing on her extensive background as a prosecutor, her time in the Senate, and her tenure as vice president, is positioning herself as the truly strong and capable candidate. Her campaign and its allies are highlighting her accomplishments and experience to contrast sharply with what they describe as Trump’s hollow rhetoric and ineffective leadership.

This contrast is particularly evident in the ongoing debate over immigration. During a recent, somewhat disjointed discussion with billionaire Elon Musk, Trump repeated his usual accusations, wrongly labeling Harris as President Joe Biden’s “border czar.” This claim was not only inaccurate but also misrepresented Harris’s role in addressing immigration issues.

As someone who worked closely with Harris during her time leading diplomatic efforts to address the “root causes” of migration, I can attest to the fact that her focus was on fostering economic opportunities in Central American countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Her approach was to engage with foreign leaders to tackle the underlying issues driving migration, a stark contrast to Trump’s tendency to criticize without offering constructive solutions.

In this battle over immigration, the question arises: Who is the tougher candidate? Is it the one who repeatedly complains about border issues without resolving them, or the one who actively seeks to address the causes of migration and work collaboratively with other nations?

Harris’s record of toughness is not limited to her recent work. A campaign ad titled “Tougher” showcases her long-standing commitment to enforcing the law as a border-state prosecutor. The ad highlights her efforts to hold drug cartels accountable and prosecute transnational gang members. It also underscores her support for what has been called the “toughest border control bill in decades.” The ad’s message is clear: “Fixing the border is tough. So is Kamala Harris.”

The narrative that Harris’s campaign is pushing is not just about her strength but also about Trump’s weaknesses. They argue that Trump’s failed leadership on key issues, including immigration, has left the country vulnerable. His rejection of a conservative-led border deal, which was seen as a politically motivated move, further underscores this point. Instead of embracing difficult but necessary solutions, Trump has often resorted to fearmongering and division.

Crime is another area where the “toughness” debate plays out, with Harris emerging as the stronger candidate. As she has often pointed out on the campaign trail, her experience as a prosecutor gives her unique insight into Trump’s tactics. Harris’s campaign has used this experience to position her as a candidate who is genuinely tough on crime, while simultaneously highlighting Trump’s own legal troubles.

In May, a New York jury found Trump guilty of a scheme to conceal information from voters during the 2016 election. Harris, in contrast, is a seasoned prosecutor who has successfully brought fraudsters to justice. Despite Trump’s efforts to distort her record, his own supporters seem to embrace his legal issues, even proudly displaying his mug shot at rallies. Meanwhile, Trump’s promises to pardon those involved in the January 6th Capitol attack further complicate his claims of being a law-and-order candidate.

The toughness of a candidate can also be measured by their campaign strategy. While Trump’s campaign has seen fewer events and more late-night social media outbursts, Harris has been vigorously campaigning in swing states, focusing on the issues that matter most to voters.

In her short time at the top of the Democratic ticket, Harris has managed to define herself before Trump and his allies have been able to craft a coherent counter-narrative. This battle for control of the narrative is intensifying as Harris prepares for a significant opportunity to present herself to the American people at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

For Democrats, this convention is a chance to highlight the stark differences between what a Harris presidency would look like versus a second Trump term. It’s an opportunity to showcase Harris’s proven track record and to challenge Trump’s history of misleading claims and half-truths.

The road ahead won’t be easy, but those who have worked closely with Harris believe she’s ready for the challenge. As the election draws nearer, her campaign is poised to emphasize that toughness isn’t about bluster; it’s about action. And in that regard, Kamala Harris is prepared to lead.