Who are the “fake opponents” against whom the candidates train for the debate?

Trump-Harris Duel – White House Candidates Practice With Opponents’ Surrogates: A Strategic Tool That Goes Far Beyond Debate Practice

They have never met in “real life” yet. Tomorrow, incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris will face former U.S. President Donald Trump in a debate with historic stakes. To prepare for these clashes, candidates use “fake opponents”—individuals tasked with imitating their political rivals. These surrogates play a crucial role in allowing candidates to practice in conditions close to reality, confronting arguments and tactics similar to those of their real opponents. But who are these “fake opponents”?

How do they prepare?

The “fake opponents” prepare carefully to provide as realistic a simulation as possible. They begin with a thorough study of the opponent they are going to embody, analyzing his speeches, past debates, and political positions. They develop strategies and arguments to best imitate the opponent’s tactics.

For example, Samuel Popkin played Ronald Reagan for Jimmy Carter in 1980, devising a strategy memo called “Popping Balloons” to counter Reagan’s narratives. The rehearsals include debate sessions where the “fake opponent” replicates the attitudes and responses of the real opponent, allowing the candidate to practice responding appropriately.