In a strategic shift ahead of the upcoming election, Republican leaders are cautioning party members against using overtly racist and sexist rhetoric targeting Vice President Kamala Harris. This comes as both Republican leaders and former President Donald Trump’s campaign adjust to the new political landscape with Harris likely becoming the Democratic nominee less than four months before Election Day.

During a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C., emphasized the importance of focusing criticisms on Harris’ policy record rather than her personal characteristics. “This election will be about policies and not personalities,” House Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated to reporters. “This is not personal with regard to Kamala Harris, and her ethnicity or her gender have nothing to do with this whatsoever.”

The caution from Republican leaders underscores the potential risks in opposing a candidate who would make history as the first woman, first Black woman, and first person of South Asian descent to hold the presidency. Trump’s history of using racially charged and misogynistic language could alienate critical swing voters, such as suburban women and voters of color, whose support is vital for the election.

This warning follows recent derogatory comments from some Republicans and Trump allies, including Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman, who dismissed Harris as a “DEI hire,” alluding to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. “Intellectually, just really kind of the bottom of the barrel,” Hageman stated in a TV interview. “I think she was a DEI hire. And I think that that’s what we’re seeing and I just don’t think that they have anybody else.”

Since President Biden announced his withdrawal from the race, Republicans have unleashed a series of attacks on Harris, attempting to link her to unpopular Biden administration policies and issues like the economy and border security. They have also accused her of covering up Biden’s health issues and have scrutinized her record as a prosecutor in California to portray her as lenient on crime.

Johnson highlighted that both Trump and Harris have significant policy records for voters to compare, saying, “She is the co-owner, co-author, co-conspirator in all the policies that got us into the mess.”

Trump campaign pollster Tony Fabrizio asserted that the fundamentals of the campaign remain unchanged despite the shift in Democratic candidates. “The Democrats deposing one Nominee for another does NOT change voters’ discontent over the economy, inflation, crime, the open border, housing costs not to mention concern over two foreign wars,” Fabrizio wrote in a memo.

Hudson indicated that the NRCC’s strategy involves portraying Harris as more progressive than Biden, holding her accountable for all of the administration’s policies. Sen. Steve Daines, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, echoed this sentiment, labeling Harris as “too liberal” and emphasizing her San Francisco roots in contrast to Biden’s Scranton background.

Trump has continued his personal attacks, asserting that Harris is “much more radical” than Biden and referring to her as a “radical left person” who would “destroy” the country. He also blamed her for “destroying” San Francisco, despite her tenure as district attorney ending in 2011.

This strategy has raised concerns among some Republicans who believe that Trump’s history of targeting women in a caustic manner could backfire. Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump aide, noted that strong, intelligent women tend to provoke Trump. “She’s going to get a real rise out of him,” Grisham predicted, adding that Trump’s typical response involves attacking women’s appearance and intelligence.

Rep. Maxine Waters of California, a prominent member of the Congressional Black Caucus, anticipates severe attacks on Harris from the Trump camp. “The first thing I think about are the attacks that are going to come from the Trump, the MAGA right wing — that have already started,” Waters told the AP. She suggested that Trump’s aggressive approach could ultimately be detrimental to his campaign.

Looking ahead, Republican pollster Neil Newhouse advised that Trump would need to approach a debate with Harris differently than he did with Hillary Clinton in 2016, noting that Harris does not carry the same negative perceptions and is relatively new on the national political stage. “Caution might be warranted,” Newhouse suggested.

As the campaign intensifies, the Republican strategy appears to be one of balancing policy-focused criticisms while avoiding the pitfalls of personal attacks, particularly those with racist or sexist overtones.

Credit: AP