What to watch for at US Harris-Trump presidential debate. Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump will battle each other next week in their first televised debate, a high-stakes clash that could give the winner an advantage in the final sprint to Election Day.
For Harris, Tuesday’s square off in Philadelphia is a chance to articulate his priorities and show his wits against an opponent who has belittled him and subjected him to racist and sexist attacks. .
Trump will have a chance to try and chip away at some of Harris’ momentum in a race that has tightened considerably since he became the Democratic nominee in July.
Most polls show Harris slightly ahead nationally and in a majority of battleground states, but Trump is well within striking distance of winning the Nov. 5 election.
Discussions can be very productive, and this may be their only one. President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in June after an unsuccessful showing. However, in 2016, Hillary Clinton was considered the winner in all three of her debates against Trump, but she won the election.
Here’s what to watch for in the pivotal televised event:
Change candidates
In an election that features a former president facing the current vice president, both candidates are somewhat paradoxically portraying themselves as “change” candidates who will upset the status quo.
Harris is seeking to take credit for the achievements of the Biden administration without being weighed down by its missteps, while also suggesting her presidency would mark a fresh start for the country.
Despite four years in the White House from 2017-2021, Trump has again styled himself as an insurgent pushing back against the institutions of Washington.
But he also has played up his experience on the world stage as compared to Harris, pledging for instance that he could bring to an end the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and protect the country from a nuclear-armed North Korea or Iran.
Getting personal
Since Harris’ nomination, Trump has questioned the legitimacy of his heritage and launched a series of personal attacks in speeches and social media posts, disparaging aides and allies who have criticized him for focusing more on his policies. Said to do.
If he repeats these attacks on the debate stage, he could alienate undecided voters, especially those who doubt he has the presidential temperament.
In his 2016 debates against Clinton, Trump often lashed out at her, interrupting the moderators, pointing fingers and calling her names. He tried the same tactic with Biden in 2020, prompting Biden to say “Will you shut up, man?” When Trump interrupted him several times.
Harris has so far largely ignored Trump’s personal attacks. Some viewers will be watching to see how she handles Trump if he brings his bullying style to the debate stage.
To show the starkest contrast to Trump, she has to show that she won’t be dragged into the ditch with him.
Opportunities
The debate is an opportunity for Harris to establish his political identity for the millions of Americans who tune in to watch.
Harris is not as popular as the Democratic presidential candidates who have recently preceded him, which could be a huge asset in an election where voters have repeatedly said they are fed up with a Biden-Trump rematch.
Harris, the former California attorney general, will have a platform to showcase his prosecutorial skills. She may seek to hold Trump accountable for his conduct after the 2020 election, including allegations that he organized followers to attack the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to stay in power. A mob was incited.
His courtroom experience may enable him to debunk Trump’s lies in real time more effectively than Biden did during the June debate.
