San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Trump’s positive test a big negative for campaign
politically.
It’s a month from election day. People are already voting. It’s the worst possible time to be in the penalty box, because his base wants him out there, being defiant, being personal in front of large crowds and having fun.
He can’t do that now. And it is going to cost him.
Reset: California Sen. Kamala Harris is scheduled to be on her biggest campaign stage to date Wednesday in a debate with Vice President Mike Pence.
Harris’ demeanor wasn’t always consistent in the primary debates last year. The Democratic ticket will be best served this week if she strives for presidential, rather than playing the attack dog or tossing out canned zingers that come off as contrived and phony.
Particularly after last week’s debacle, in which President Trump made a mockery of the first presidential debate, Harris will win simply by quietly and in a measured way displaying her intelligence and sobriety. And no matter what Pence says, she needs to appear respectful of the office and be the grownup in the room. Plain talk: Joe Biden did better than I expected in the debate, but he still came across as a bit befuddled at times. Assuming there is another debate, he can turn his sometimes halting approach into a plus.
He should open by explaining frankly that he sometimes has difficulty because of a stuttering problem that he has worked hard to overcome.
It could go something like, “This is not easy for me at times, because I stutter. Donald Trump says I’m suffering from dementia. The truth is, it’s all part of the challenge I have lived with for years. If you know anyone who has the challenge of having a stutter, you will understand.”
This kind of frank talk would instantly put the issue of his slow, deliberate and at times confusing syntax to rest.
It could also knock back Trump a few steps out of the gate.
Table time:
I had lunch with former Supervisor Jane Kim the other day at John’s Grill. She arrived on an ebike. We haven’t seen much of Kim since her mayoral run. She’s working for a housing nonprofit. But after talking with her, I’m convinced she still has the bug for elected office. So don’t be surprised if you see her running again, perhaps for Nancy Pelosi’s seat should the speaker ever retire.
I also had lunch recently with Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting. He’s raising money and gathering endorsements for the state controller’s job.
Old friends with new faces: I ran into former Chronicle reporter and current supervisorial candidate Steve “LuLu” Schwartz outside Caffe Greco the other day. Schwartz was resplendent in a tight darkpurple miniskirt, black fishnet stockings and 3inch nails.
“Hey Willie, my wife asked me after the debate if the Proud Boys are a gay group,” Schwartz said. “Whaddya think of that?”
What did I think?
Just another day in North Beach.
Want to sound off ? Email: wbrown@ sfchronicle. com