Some Republicans have been distressed at former President Donald Trump’s focus on personal attacks instead of slamming his opponents on policy. During his North Carolina rally, he mocked those advisers, arguing his Democratic opponents have done the exact same thing.
“Did you see Barack Hussein Obama last night? He was taking shots at your president, and so was Michelle,” Trump said.
“They always say, ‘Sir, please stick to policy. Don’t get personal,’” he said in a mocking voice. “Yet they are getting personal all night long, these people. Do I still have to stick to policy?”
Former President Barack Obama slammed Trump often in his Democratic National Convention speech Tuesday night. He called Trump “a 78-year-old billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago.”
Trump said Obama’s address was “very nasty,” even though he called him a “nice gentleman” hours before.
Prominent Republicans, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, have called on Trump to attack Vice President Kamala Harris’s policies instead of his usual offensives against his opponents.
“President Trump can win this election,” Graham said on Aug. 18, later adding, “Donald Trump, the provocateur, the showman, may not win this election. That’s what I would focus on: policy. Policy is the key to the White House.”
Trump later dismissed Graham’s concerns, remarking that he “doesn’t care” what Graham says.
Trump chose a controversial route to attack Harris during an appearance at a black journalists’ conference on July 31, questioning whether she was even black. Harris is of mixed racial identity as both an Indian and black American.
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Trump’s latest remarks aren’t likely to play well with his Republican critics who believe his path to victory is targeting Harris’s policies. Trump himself said he didn’t believe targeting his opponent’s intelligence and personal characteristics was part of a winning message.
“I hope they’re not,” Trump told CBS News when asked Monday if the personal insults were needed. “But if I don’t think somebody’s good at something, if somebody’s not good at something, I’ve always spoken my mind. I don’t think she’s very good at this. I think she’ll destroy our country.”
