Vice President Kamala Harris may have found an unexpected “ally” in her quest for the presidency, according to Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne Jr. In a thought-provoking piece published over the weekend, Dionne contended that Harris is strategically using former President Donald Trump’s own words and actions to bolster her campaign, positioning him as a key factor in her potential victory.
“Harris has an indispensable ally as she closes her presidential campaign,” Dionne wrote. “She carries messages from him nearly everywhere she goes.” The ally in question, Dionne revealed, is none other than Donald Trump.
Dionne highlighted several recent examples where Harris has employed Trump’s remarks to drive home her points. At a United Auto Workers union hall in Lansing, Michigan, on Friday, Harris played a video of Trump belittling autoworkers, claiming they merely take parts “out of a box” and put them together—something, he suggested, that “we could have our child do.”
Trump also expressed disdain for overtime pay, a statement that did not sit well with labor supporters. The following day, at an event in Atlanta, Harris again used Trump’s words to underscore her criticism. This time, the focus was on Trump’s dismissive comment about Amber Thurman, a woman who died in 2022 after being unable to access medical care due to abortion restrictions in her state. Harris condemned Trump’s cruelty, stating that he “still refuses to take accountability, to take any accountability, for the pain and suffering he has caused.”
Dionne argued that Harris successfully appeals to Republican-leaning voters who are uncomfortable with Trump but are hesitant to vote for the Democratic Party. By highlighting the dangers Trump poses to freedom and democracy, she presents herself as a moderate alternative. “Clips of Trump describing his political opponents as ‘the enemy within’ and threatening to use the military against them make the point more dramatically than anything a critic could say,” Dionne noted.
According to Dionne, Trump’s lack of discipline has created an opportunity for Harris to regain the momentum she once enjoyed. He pointed out that Harris had initially experienced three surges in popularity: after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, during the Democratic convention, and following her strong performance in her debate against Trump. However, the focus shifted as Trump began attacking Harris and airing grievances about immigration, voter concerns, and the cost of living.
Polling in seven key swing states has shown close races, with Harris and Trump virtually tied. However, Dionne believes that Harris is turning the tide by using Trump’s own speeches and inflammatory rhetoric to her advantage. As Trump continues to lash out, his words are becoming a powerful tool in Harris’ arsenal.
On Sunday, during another appearance, Harris referenced Trump’s latest gaffe, where he struggled to complete a sentence about his cognitive abilities, saying, “I have no cognitive.” The remark has added weight to Dionne’s assertion that Trump’s missteps are helping Harris craft a compelling narrative against him.
Ultimately, Dionne suggests that Harris’ reliance on Trump’s own words, especially his most undisciplined moments, is a shrewd strategy that could pave her way to victory. By turning Trump’s rhetoric against him, Harris is positioning herself as the candidate who can protect democracy, restore dignity, and hold Trump accountable for his actions.