As Rob Christensen pointed out, Thom Tillis won the first debate last night because nobody really laid a glove on him. Greg Brannon tried but he really just hurt his own credibility by falling back on wing-nut talking points in an attempt to make Tillis look too moderate. Meanwhile, Mark Harris retreated back into the comfort of his shell after emerging from hiding late last month. 

Debates rarely become game-changers. In a low-profile primary like this one, many, if not most, of the viewers are political junkies and partisans who have already made up their minds. The goal of the frontrunner, in this case Thom Tillis, is to maintain the status quo. In other words, don’t screw up. The goal of the other candidates is to create controversy about the frontrunner which will show up in headlines the following morning. That didn’t happen last night.

There are two more debates. The bigger one is on WRAL tonight. It’s a network affiliate in the state’s largest media market and WRAL is offering footage to other stations that want to broadcast it. 

Tonight would be a good time for Mark Harris to try to distinguish himself. He needs to offer himself as a viable alternative to Thom Tillis. On the issues, the two have very little daylight between them so Harris needs to figure out what makes him preferable. This primary is more of a beauty and personality contest than the ideological debate that Brannon wants, so Harris needs to find Tillis’ warts and focus on them. 

If I were the Harris campaign, I’d send my candidate into tonight’s debate armed with sharp barbs. I’d paint him as a corporate shill who will say anything to get elected and just pays lip service to social conservatives. In contrast, Harris needs to appeal to the “Hell, no. I ain’t forgettin’” breed of Southern conservatives who love lost causes more than progress. Let us hear a little fire-and-brimstone about the deterioration of society as evidenced by gay marriage and the lack of prayer in schools. That’s his base. He better go them.

Thomas Mills

Thomas Mills is the founder and publisher of PoliticsNC.com. Before beginning PoliticsNC, Thomas spent twenty years as a political and public affairs consultant. Learn more >