A memo being prepared for Democratic candidates running this year tells them to see their debates against Republican opponents as “pugilistic encounters” that must be won by constant attacks in the “era of Trump.”
The memo from Ron Klain and John Neffinger said Democrats need to be more aggressive in debates because “our politics have changed,” a nod to how President Trump ripped through his numerous opponents in 2016.
“‘Staying above the fray,’ ‘just getting my own message out,’ and ‘pretending like my opponent isn’t there’ are NOT viable debate strategies,” the Democratic strategists wrote in their memo, according to Axios.
“This mandate to win (not just ‘endure’ or ‘survive’) can be uncomfortable for some candidates, and jarring for incumbents who must deal with an upstart opponent they may have largely ignored until debate night,” they added. “Debates today are pugilistic encounters: there is no playing for a tie.”
The memo said Democrats may encounter candidates who model themselves after Trump, which it said means candidates who are “arrogant, antagonistic, filled with insults and nicknames and lies.” It advised Democrats not to get rattled by this.
It also said candidates should prepare with mock debates in which the stand-in for their opponents is as tough as they can be.
“A good stand-in is not afraid to launch harsh attacks on the candidate: batting practice isn’t useful if the pitcher only lobs softballs,” it said.
“Debating is unlike normal human interaction,” it added. “Standing across from someone you may hate and/or fear and having them repeatedly lie, or insult you, or just attack you takes some getting used to.”
The memo advises that candidates should also find ways to enjoy themselves during these tense encounters.
“[S]tay in a good mood so that a small, easy smile shows on your face when it’s natural,” it said. “That small smile shows you are a ‘happy warrior’…”
