Closing Arguments: How Harris Can Pin Down Trump

The best-testing closing argument against Trump is one that emphasizes his lack of support from his former cabinet and numerous Republicans

October 16, 2024

As Trump continues to “flood the zone” in the election’s final weeks, it is increasingly difficult to pin him down and identify the most effective attacks against him—considering voters’ short memories and indifference to some of Trump’s most controversial moments (or at least what’s viewed as controversial in the minds of Democratic consultants). However, for the sliver of still-undecided voters who remain Trump-curious, it is essential to identify which attacks are most effective—and which aren’t.

Blueprint’s latest message test on closing arguments against Donald Trump shows that Vice President Harris can successfully swap her politics of joy with persuasive foreboding as the campaigns gear up for ‘Spooky Season.’

The best-testing closing arguments against Trump are those that emphasize his lack of support from his former cabinet and numerous Republicans (a topic the Harris campaign is running extensive ads on), his responsibility for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and his intentions to gut Social Security and Medicare and the Affordable Care Act:

[Republican endorsements] Nearly half of Donald Trump’s cabinet have refused to endorse him. When Trump learned during the Capitol riot that his supporters were threatening to kill his own vice president, he said ‘so what?’ and refused to do anything to ensure the vice president was safe. Republican governors, senators, and House members have all said the same thing: we can’t give Trump another four years as president. (+12 preference effect for Harris, +14 with independents)
[Roe v. Wade] Donald Trump appointed the judges who overturned Roe vs. Wade. Since then, Trump abortion bans have been passed in 22 states and women are dying because they can’t get the care they need. Now he wants to go further, with plans to restrict birth control, ban abortion nationwide, and even monitor women’s pregnancies. Kamala Harris will protect our fundamental rights and freedoms, because the government should not be allowed to control women’s personal medical decisions. (+10 preference effect for Harris, +12 with independents)

ABOUT THE POLL

For the message test, Blueprint surveyed an online sample of 2,993 voters from October 10th to October 13th, weighted to education, gender, race, survey engagement, and 2020 election results. The survey was conducted in English, and its margin of error is ±2.0 percentage points.

The survey was conducted in English.

PRESS CONTACTS

Alyssa Cass
alyssa@slingshotstrat.com
347-992-5006

Evan Roth Smith
evan@slingshotstrat.com
646-240-0096