Debate Day Looms: Harris and Experts Put Finishing Touches with Top Strategist Karen Dunn
Vice President Kamala Harris Prepares for Final Debate with Expert Trainer
The New York Times reported that Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, is gearing up for the final debate preparations with an expert who has been in charge of debate training for several presidential and vice presidential candidates ahead of the first TV debate.
Attorney Karen Dunn, 48, is helping Vice President Harris with her debate preparations. Dunn has been described as “a master at dealing with egos” and has worked with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who prepared for a presidential debate with Dunn.
Former Secretary of State Clinton praised Dunn, saying, “She’s not afraid to say, ‘That won’t work,’ ‘That doesn’t make sense,’ ‘You can do better.'” Clinton also noted that Dunn offers encouragement, saying, “I think you’re on the right track,” and “You just need to do more.”
Attorney Dunn has an impressive background, having worked on former Secretary of State Clinton’s Senate campaign in 2000. After leaving politics, Dunn attended Yale Law School and worked as a law clerk. In 2008, Dunn joined former Secretary of State Clinton’s presidential primary campaign and helped prepare for President Barack Obama’s debates after he won the primary.
Dunn’s experience also includes working in the White House Office of Counsel and as a federal prosecutor in Virginia. In 2016, Dunn helped Democratic presidential candidate Clinton prepare for her debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump. In 2020, Dunn helped Vice President Harris prepare for her debate against former Vice President Mike Pence.
Dunn is known for his attention to detail and insistence on keeping information confidential. He distributes discussion materials in hard copy rather than online and asks those who have them to discard or return them.
The New York Times reported that Dunn’s strategy led to Trump being caught off guard by Clinton’s attacks during the 2016 televised debate between the two. Clinton revealed that Trump had insulted former Miss Universe Alicia Machado by calling her “Miss Pig” and “Miss Housekeeper,” and said, “She will be voting in November.”
Trump appeared perplexed and continued to ask, “Where did you find this?”
The Harris Debate Preparation Team, led by attorney Dunn, includes policy adviser Rohini Khosogroo, Sean Clegg, who devised Harris’ 2020 campaign strategy, and Philippe Reins, who acted as Trump’s body double during the 2016 presidential election.
They will conduct a debate rehearsal for 90 minutes, asking Vice President Harris questions and then suggesting areas for improvement.
Meanwhile, current and former CEOs of about 90 companies have released an open letter supporting Vice President Harris as president. They include billionaire investor and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban; former 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch; and Laurene Powell Jobs, head of the Emerson Collective and widow of the late Apple founder Steve Jobs.
Separately, more than 100 current and former law enforcement officials have also endorsed Harris, citing her experience as a prosecutor and her work to curb gun violence.