A Preview of Tonight's Debate

What we must look for tonight is not massive blows raining down on the adversary, but self-inflicted wounds. For, as we learned from Mr. Biden's debacle, those are the only ones that are truly capable of killing a candidacy.

Donald Trump has enough baggage to fill every overhead bin on a 747. But he is a master at deflection, at making his shortcomings seem not his but those of his accuser. He has never, despite what would seem openings as wide as an eight lane highway, left a debate stage mortally wounded. 

But, his Achilles heel is the tangled web he "weaves" (his own definition, with an assist from Mr. Shakespeare) in his mental meanderings.. Not his pretzel-like stance on abortion, not his attempt to distance himself from Project 2025, not his alms for the rich, not his ego, his lies, his prejudices, not even the findings by juries of his not so peers that he has done some really nasty stuff. Donald Trump cannot be brought low by slings and arrows hurled at him by Kamala (yes, comma-la) Harris. Only Mr. Trump wandering off the reservation into Biden territory can do him in.

As for Ms. Harris, no matter how much Mr. Trump huffs and puffs, he cannot blow her out of the water.. Mr. Trump can scowl, scream, point his finger, shake his head and call his opponent nasty, (he will likely do all of the above), he can lead her to the border or rant about the state of the economy or her thread a needle position on Israel, but Ms. Harris alone will show us if she will sink or swim. Mr. Biden couldn't locate his life preserver. If Ms. Harris can walk and chew gum at the same time, she will be able to dance away from any glancing blows during the evening's adventure without need of medical attention.

I have learned to never say never after the Hindenburg performance by President Biden, but I firmly believe that history (at least that history) will not repeat itself tonight. And when the dust settles Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump will still be neck and neck and at each other's throats until political death do them part (maybe) in November.