Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared on Wednesday that Vice President Kamala Harris is prepared to hold former President Donald Trump “accountable” during their debate next month, despite criticism of Harris for taking over a month to schedule a formal interview since becoming the Democratic nominee.
“Kamala Harris is ready to hold him accountable on the debate stage,” Walz told the International Association of Fire Fighters union’s annual convention in Boston. He joined Harris on a campaign swing through Georgia after the convention.
“Tell me you’re not looking forward to that. Look. I know you’re busy. You’re gonna be watching ‘Monday Night Football’ or something, but it’s gonna be good,” Walz said, referring to the debate set for September 10. The discussion will be held on a Tuesday night.
“It’s gonna be good — because again, as I said, this will impact you. The things that are said on that debate stage are going to impact your retirement. They’re going to impact your kids’ education. They’re going to impact infrastructure,” Walz added.
The debate is expected to proceed despite recent disputes over whether candidates’ microphones should be muted when they are not speaking.
Harris’ team initially requested that microphones remain unmuted — a change from the rules established for the June 27 CNN debate between Trump and President Biden — but has since dropped the request, according to a Trump campaign source.
Harris’ team did not immediately comment on the matter.
Walz also previewed some likely debate points Harris will use, such as criticizing Trump for his alleged association with conservative Project 2025 guidelines and highlighting what he described as Republican attempts to intrude on personal freedoms. “When Republicans used to talk about freedom, they meant it. They meant it. Not anymore,” Walz said. “These guys over there, they want government to have the freedom to invade every corner of your life, from our union halls to our kids’ schools, even our doctor’s office.”
Harris and Walz are scheduled to give their first joint interview to CNN’s Dana Bash on Thursday. The decision to have Walz accompany Harris for the interview has been met with criticism from Republican and conservative commentators, who argue that it suggests Harris may lack the capability to handle questions on her own despite her extensive experience.
During the debate, Trump is anticipated to challenge Harris on her record as Biden’s point person on immigration, a sector that has seen record surges in illegal crossings.
Harris may also face scrutiny over her previous support for single-payer health care, decriminalizing illegal border crossings, and banning fracking, as well as her recent proposal to control grocery prices, which she has since retracted amid criticism.
