Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are set to face off in their first and possibly only debate, providing a crucial opportunity for both candidates to present their divergent visions for the country. The event, which will take place in Philadelphia at 9 p.m. Eastern, comes after a tumultuous campaign summer that saw President Joe Biden withdraw from the race and both candidates selecting their running mates.
Harris, the first woman, Black person, and person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president, aims to prove that she can effectively challenge Trump on behalf of the Democratic Party. Trump, on the other hand, seeks to portray Harris as an out-of-touch liberal while trying to win over voters who are skeptical of his return to the White House.
However, Trump has struggled to adapt to Harris, resorting to invoking racial and gender stereotypes at times. This approach has frustrated allies who believe Trump should focus on policy differences rather than personal attacks. In contrast, Harris will attempt to take credit for the accomplishments of the Biden administration while also addressing any criticisms and explaining her shifts away from more liberal positions she held in the past.
The debate is a significant moment for Harris, who has only participated in one formal interview in the past six weeks. The outcome of her performance could have a significant impact on the race. Ari Fleischer, a Republican communications strategist, emphasizes the high stakes, stating that if Harris performs well, it would be a pleasant surprise for Democrats. However, if she falters, like Joe Biden did in his previous debate, it could have a substantial impact on the election.
Tim Hogan, who led debate preparations for Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, highlights Harris’s strong quality as a former California attorney general: her ability to land a punch and effectively convey her message. This prosecutorial instinct can serve her well in the debate setting.
Trump and his campaign have been focusing on Harris’s far-left positions from her unsuccessful 2020 presidential bid. He has been assisted in his informal debate preparations by Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate who criticized Harris during the primary debates. Harris, on the other hand, has been defending her shifts towards more moderate positions on issues such as fracking, Medicare for all, and mandatory gun buyback programs, presenting them as pragmatic rather than a change in values.
Trump’s team insists that his tone won’t be any different when facing a female opponent, with senior adviser Jason Miller stating that “President Trump is going to be himself.” Trump’s advisors also suggest that Harris tends to express herself in a convoluted manner, prompting Trump to say that his strategy for the debate is to “let her talk.” However, it’s worth noting that Trump often makes rambling remarks that veer off from policy points and make false claims.
Harris’s approach in the debate will be to argue that Trump is unstable and unfit to lead. She is expected to call out his inconsistencies regarding women’s reproductive care, particularly his support for Florida’s six-week abortion ban. Additionally, Harris will emphasize her ability to provide steady leadership and protect the nation’s alliances amidst ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel.
Furthermore, Harris is likely to warn that Trump poses a threat to democracy, pointing to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. Trump’s recent comments about seeking retribution against those involved in “unscrupulous behavior” further reinforce Harris’s argument.
In preparation for the debate, Harris has spent several days engaged in mock sessions, participating in hours-long practice debates with a stand-in for Trump. She has also been considering strategies to respond if Trump lies during the debate, anticipating that there are no limits to how low he will go.
As the first early ballots of the presidential race will be sent out shortly after the debate, both candidates understand the significance of this moment. The debate will provide American voters with a detailed look at the campaign and may have a profound impact on the outcome of the election.
