Josh Shapiro Warns Kamala Harris Not To Underestimate Trump In Upcoming Debate
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is warning Vice President Kamala Harris that she has a “tough debate” ahead.
Shapiro, who was reportedly considered a potential running mate for Harris, said on Friday not to underestimate Donald Trump as the candidates’ first presidential debate approaches on Sept. 10.
“Listen, as much as we want to criticize Donald Trump — he’s a liar, he’s all these things ... people know Donald Trump,” Shapiro said on “The View.”
“He is a skilled debater. He is a guy who is willing to say anything at any time just to get through a question.”
“And he’s a showman,” the governor continued. “He’s been on TV before. So, don’t underestimate Donald Trump. Now, I’ve known Kamala Harris 20 years. She is tough as nails. She’s a prosecutor. She’ll be prepared … but this is going to be a tough debate.”
Harris was officially declared the Democratic presidential nominee at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month after President Joe Biden’s disastrous June debate against Trump saw his polling plummet — and led fellow Democrats to urge him to drop out.
Biden ultimately endorsed Harris as his replacement on the Democratic ticket and symbolically passed the baton to her at the convention.
“Selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made before I became the nominee, and it was the best decision I made in my whole career,” he said onstage. “She’s tough, she’s experienced and she has enormous integrity. She will be a president we can all be proud of.”
Despite his warning about the upcoming debate, Shapiro injected some levity into the conversation on Friday, predicting that Harris might even drop some Pittsburgh slang on TV (though the debate is being held in Philadelphia).
“I will also note, she is practicing for this debate or meeting with her team in Pittsburgh,” the governor said on “The View.”
“So she may drop a ‘yinz’ during the debate. We’ll see if she’s got a little Pittsburgh culture in her after this weekend.”