Harris Must Energize the Nation at Debate and Address Economy Misconceptions

In 1951, Yale researchers Carl Hovland and Walter Weiss introduced the concept known as the “sleeper effect” in their studies on persuasive messaging. They discovered that messages can be lasting despite being factually incorrect, particularly when repeated frequently.

As the historic debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump approaches, Harris’s preparation must strategically address the wave of misinformation that is likely to surge during this crucial encounter. Trump is expected to reiterate misleading claims, such as his recent assertion in Michigan that Harris and President Biden “have presided over an economic reign of terror” and that the vice president’s actions caused severe inflation.

Harris’s team likely embodies the adage shared by George Washington in 1799: the best defense is a good offense. Harris is well-versed in discussing key issues such as abortion rights, public health, gun safety, and the rule of law—areas where Trump is particularly vulnerable. Ironically, despite Trump’s instigation of violence and numerous court challenges after the 2020 election, he has acknowledged his election loss.

To effectively counter economic misinformation, it is essential for Harris to remain proactive rather than defensive, especially as Trump frequently questions voters, asking, “Are you better off economically than you were four years ago?” The answer should resoundingly be a “yes,” supported by facts surrounding the economy and immigration that the Harris-Walz campaign must embrace confidently.

During a June debate, Trump claimed that “we had the safest border in history in the final couple of months of my presidency.” His assertions continued at the Republican National Convention, where he touted his border record, claiming it was unparalleled. However, this portrayal does not align with the reality of border security during his tenure. The data shows that US-Mexico border encounters while Trump was in office averaged 488,164 annually, significantly higher than the 408,493 average under President Obama.

Even in Trump’s final months, the 2020 figures were starkly higher than those from the previous administration. Currently, President Biden can also showcase a downward trend in border encounters, attributed to the actions taken by the Biden-Harris administration aimed at securing the border, especially after congressional Republicans delayed a bipartisan border bill at Trump’s behest.

Trump’s claims regarding inflation and wage growth have lacked nuance. At an August rally, he blamed Harris’ alleged “radical liberal policies” for inflation, which has risen since 2020. Such assertions oversimplify a complex issue where multiple factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, played critical roles—elements beyond any president’s control.

While inflation peaked at 9.1%, it has since decreased to 2.9%. It’s worth noting that similar inflation issues have plagued other countries like the UK, Canada, and Germany, making the challenges in the U.S. not unique to this administration. Furthermore, it is inaccurate to solely blame the Biden-Harris administration for excessive government spending, as Trump’s relief measures during the pandemic added significant financial weight to the economy as well.

The Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to restore real wage growth have also garnered positive outcomes. Real average hourly earnings have increased by 0.7% in the past year, while disposable personal income is up 5.1% since February 2020, prior to the pandemic. Since 2021, income growth has notably outpaced price growth by $3,776, suggesting a more favorable economic condition for the average American under Biden-Harris.

When discussing fiscal responsibility, Trump claimed in June that America was on track to start paying down its debt. However, Trump’s record shows he amassed more debt than any other president in history, racking up $8.8 trillion in new borrowing, compared to Biden-Harris’s $6.2 trillion. Even when controlling for the COVID-19 pandemic’s financial impact, Biden-Harris have demonstrated more disciplined fiscal responsibility.

Trump’s assertions about deficits are similarly misleading, as he oversaw the largest spending deficit in any year since World War II. His full-term net spending increases exceeded those of the Biden-Harris administration, which have aimed to reduce the deficit by $1.9 trillion compared to Trump’s modest reductions.

In terms of infrastructure investment, Trump failed to deliver on his promises made during the 2016 campaign, while Biden-Harris have moved forward with significant funding initiatives aimed at strengthening the nation’s infrastructure and creating thousands of jobs across multiple sectors.

Lastly, when evaluating employment records, Trump’s claims that the job recovery under Biden-Harris mainly benefited illegal immigrants do not reflect the complex realities of the job market, particularly when excluding COVID-19’s impact. The Biden-Harris administration has seen job growth that far outpaces Trump’s record, with a more favorable trend in manufacturing jobs and real GDP growth.

In the looming debate, Trump seems to have grasped the principle of the “sleeper effect” in his discourse. It’s crucial for Harris and her advisors to be mindful of this phenomenon as they vie for the truth to resonate amidst a backdrop of repeated misinformation.

Source: Fortune