The upcoming 2024 presidential election marks a turning point in American politics. The anticipated debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, scheduled for Tuesday night, will be one of the most critical events of the election season. Unlike previous years, this debate holds even greater significance, given the narrow division within the American electorate.
The stakes are incredibly high. This debate provides a platform for both candidates to outline their policies and sway undecided voters in key battleground states. With Harris stepping into the spotlight as a relatively new face to many and Trump aiming to regain momentum after a series of political headlines dominated by Democrats, the debate will undoubtedly shape the direction of the 2024 race.
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The context behind the debate
For Harris, this moment is particularly crucial. Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, following a lackluster performance in the first presidential debate in June, has thrust her into the limelight. Though Harris has been vice-president for over three years, she remains unfamiliar to a significant portion of the American public. A recent survey from the New York Times highlighted this fact, showing that 28% of likely voters still need more information about her.
With the polls showing a tight race nationally and in battleground states, the Harris-Trump debate could be pivotal in determining the election’s outcome. While the American electorate remains sharply divided, even small shifts in voter sentiment could tip the scales in favor of either candidate.
Kamala Harris’s campaign: An introduction to voters
Although Harris has been running for president for seven weeks, her campaign has been relatively low-key. Her performance in the upcoming debate presents an opportunity to clearly outline her policies and make her case to the American public.
However, the debate also presents certain risks. Harris will have to navigate challenging questions and defend the record of the Biden administration, particularly on issues where Democrats face criticism, such as border security and inflation. Her stance on policy changes—including her shift away from positions like banning fracking and decriminalizing border crossings—will likely come under scrutiny.
In previous campaigns, Harris has faced challenges when answering questions under pressure. As the debate approaches, she will need to overcome these obstacles to win over voters, especially those still on the fence about her candidacy.
Harris’s shift on key issues
During her 2020 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, Harris supported several liberal policies that she has since walked back. These include positions on fracking, national health insurance, and immigration. Her explanation for these changes is that they reflect the evolving political landscape and new circumstances. However, some voters may perceive these shifts as politically motivated and question her authenticity.
In the debate, Harris will need to convincingly explain why her positions have changed, while also defending her role in the Biden administration. For many voters, this will be their first opportunity to see how she performs under the national spotlight, which adds additional pressure to her performance.
Donald Trump’s strategy: Regaining the spotlight
For Donald Trump, the debate offers an opportunity to reclaim the momentum he lost during the Democrats’ energetic campaign launch. Trump thrives in high-profile debates, using them to steer the political conversation in his favor. His stances on immigration and trade have proven to resonate with a wide swath of the American public, and these are likely to be key talking points during the debate.
Despite his experience in presidential debates, Trump must tread carefully. In the 2024 election cycle, Trump will face a more nimble opponent in Harris, who may be able to counter his points more effectively than Biden did in previous debates. Trump’s verbal miscues during his debate with Biden went largely unnoticed due to Biden’s own struggles, but Harris is expected to present a sharper challenge.
Potential pitfalls for Trump
Trump’s biggest challenge in this debate will be navigating how to confront Kamala Harris without alienating female voters. Harris is only the second female presidential nominee and the first of color, so Trump will need to avoid coming across as domineering or belittling. His campaign knows that any missteps in this area could hurt him with a key demographic that he has struggled to win over in past elections—women voters.
At a recent economic forum in New York, Trump struggled to clearly articulate his policies on childcare, a key issue for many families. Any similar missteps during the debate could provide fodder for Democrats and undermine his standing with undecided voters.
Preparing for the debate: Contrasting styles
The preparations for this debate highlight the stark differences between the two candidates. Harris, with her background as a prosecutor, has been holding intensive mock debates and refining her policy proposals. Her team is focusing on helping her sharpen her responses to potential attacks, ensuring she is ready for the intense scrutiny she will face.
Meanwhile, Trump has opted for a more informal approach, relying on his previous debate experiences and focusing on key issues that have traditionally resonated with his base, such as immigration and economic policies. He recently participated in a Fox News town hall, which gave him a chance to connect with voters ahead of the debate.
The clash of styles is set to make this debate not only a critical political event but also a compelling moment for viewers. Trump’s bold, theatrical approach will contrast with Harris’s more methodical style, giving voters a clear sense of the candidates’ differing visions for the country.
The impact of early voting in key battleground states
Though Election Day is still months away, early voting begins this month in several key battleground states, including Pennsylvania. This adds an extra layer of importance to the debate, as it will be one of the last major opportunities for the candidates to sway voters before early ballots are cast.
Both candidates will be vying for every possible vote in these battleground states, where the election is expected to be won or lost. Pennsylvania, in particular, will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the 2024 election, making the debate in Philadelphia even more significant.
Swing states and the importance of debate performance
The debate could play a critical role in shaping voter opinions in swing state. Both Harris and Trump will be keenly aware of this, and their strategies will be tailored to winning over undecided voters in these areas.
