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During the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump remarks were made by the Republican nominee about Haitian immigrants consuming domestic animals for sustenance. Focusing on the town of Springfield Ohio, that hamlet's local officials quickly denied the charges. Indeed, the GOP Governor, Mike DeWine, vigorously refuted the charges. Needless to say, it represented another bizarre turn in the campaign.
In defense of the GOP ticket, Vice-Presidential nominee J.D. Vance stated on CNN that he and Trump had to "create stories" about dog and cat consumption to gain the attention of the national media in order to shed light on the "suffering of the American people". How the fantasy culinary preferences of any group had anything to do with the plight of voters is difficult to ascertain. Once more Vance failed to protect Trump; indeed, he kept the story alive. Dropping the matter would have been smart - but Vance, who seemed to exist to supply his rivals with political ammunition, could not resist.
Plenty of candidates have made gaffes, but usually they let it pass, but for some reason the Republican ticket loves to double down. Trump has not been careful either, consistently making statements concerning irrelevancies. Certainly, they have other more fruitful issues on which to dwell - inflation and the economy comes to mind. If one simply wanted to wager a guess on why Trump and Vance persist in this behavior, you might surmise they did not want to win.
"Never complain, never explain," has been a maxim that has served Trump well in the past. But in this campaign, he cannot seem to let well enough alone. Maybe Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal threw him off his game. But what does he expect, politics is not "beanbag." That Trump would think that is rivals would give him a pass, is truly a wonder. Mulligans, as in golf, are even rarer in presidential campaigns. Or does Trump think he is entitled?
When Trump and Vance are called out for absurdities, they whine. Particularly telling, is the Donald's reaction to Taylor Swift's endorsement of Harris. Instead of simply ignoring the event, Trump texted "I hate Taylor Swift". Hs is a bit too old for this sort of thing. Most of Hollywood's elite endorsed Herbert Hoover in 1932 and it made no difference whatsoever. Adolescent responses are not Trump's style and yet he wheels them out at a critical point in the campaign. The media is mastering him.
For Republicans this must be trying their patience. Trump was dead even, with Harris making a quick recovery from her convention bounce. His performance in the debate was not good, but it is nothing he hasn't seen before. Hillary Clinton routed him in their first debate, and yet Trump won in 2016. Debates, celebrity endorsement and even gaffes as bad as the unfounded allegations of pets being kidnapped in Ohio can be overcome. But time is beginning to ebb and Trump badly needs to regain his sea legs.
Trump might be able to right the campaign but he needs discipline and luck. But focusing on fantasies which were meant to gin up hatred against immigrants is not the path to victory.