... Here's what troubles former President Trump's advisers most: He knew that with precision and preparation, Vice President Harris would bait him on things like crowd size, and buck discussion about her power today and liberalism in the past.
- - - He knew exactly how to try to turn each moment against her.
Why it matters: But he blew it badly ... repeatedly ... predictably. He simply cannot help himself, Trump insiders begrudgingly admit.
- - - No practice, pleas or sage advice keep Trump from being Trump.
- - - It's a feature -- not a correctable bug.
The big picture: There is a straight, illuminating through-line from Trump's post-assassination-attempt convention speech and his debate performance Tuesday night.
- - - Go back in time. Go back to the seconds after he was shot at in Pennsylvania. The moment Trump rose, ear bloodied, fist held high, American flag flying behind, and mouthed: "Fight!"
- - - It was an iconic moment, an unforgettable image, a political memory money can't buy. And, Trump's team believed, a sure-bet ticket to winning in November.
- - - All he had to do, they told him, was use the moment to say he took a bullet for America, and felt like a changed man ready to pull the nation together. For a few days, he did ... until 28 minutes into his prime-time convention speech on July 18. ...