'Flailing' Trump is painfully 'at odds' with his own campaign: GOP strategist

Although Kamala Harris has had small single-digit leads over Donald Trump in many polls released in August, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee continues to describe herself as the "underdog" in the race. This, according to political strategists, is shrewd campaigning on Harris' part — as the vice president wants to project confidence but not cockiness and needs her supporters to avoid becoming complacent.

GOP strategist Susan Del Percio, a Never Trump conservative, was critical of Harris' decision to make Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz her running mate — she believes Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro would have been a better choice when it comes to winning over independents and swing voters. But overall, Del Percio has praised the vice president for running a disciplined campaign.

Meanwhile, Trump, according to Del Percio, is not a disciplined candidate.

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In an op-ed published by MSNBC on August 13, the GOP strategist argues that the biggest burden Trump's campaign is facing is Trump himself.

"Their problem is the candidate," Del Percio stresses. "Trump has again shown that he has zero self-control and little understanding of strategy. He's taken to social media in the middle of the night to post bizarre attacks and fantasize about Biden rejoining the race…. Trump is flailing about."

The Never Trumper adds, "He is talking about the same old grievances, asking crowds about nicknames for Biden, going off on tangents. In short, he is doing everything but focusing on beating Harris."

Having "seasoned campaign staffers" on his team, Del Percio notes, won't help Trump if he undermines them at every turn and is "at odds" with them.

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"The campaign team should not be blamed for Trump's inadequacies," the GOP strategist writes, "but their job is to figure out how to house-train him. One way might be to remind him why he is running in the first place: not to lead the nation, but to avoid federal prosecution and the possibility of prison time. If that's not a motivator, nothing will be."

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Susan Del Percio's full MSNBC column is available at this link.