In a high-stakes encounter, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are set to meet face-to-face for their first and possibly only debate at 9 pm Eastern in Philadelphia. This pivotal event will offer voters a clear comparison of their contrasting visions following a summer of unexpected campaign developments. Since the June debate, the political landscape has changed dramatically—President Joe Biden withdrew from the race after disappointing results, Trump survived an assassination attempt, and both campaigns solidified their running mates. Harris will work to build a stronger case against Trump than Biden did, while Trump plans to portray her as an out-of-touch liberal.
A Historic Matchup
At 78, Trump faces a different challenge in 59-year-old Harris, the first woman, Black, and South Asian vice president. Throughout the campaign, Trump has struggled to adjust to Harris’s candidacy, often resorting to racially and gender-charged remarks. Meanwhile, Harris is expected to leverage her background as a prosecutor to present a more robust challenge to Trump than her predecessor.
Trump’s Debate Strategy
Trump’s approach will center on portraying Harris as too liberal, focusing on positions from her 2020 presidential campaign. His team, including advisor Tulsi Gabbard, has prepped him to highlight Harris’s shift from progressive to moderate stances on issues such as Medicare for All and fracking. Additionally, his campaign is expected to emphasize issues like immigration and rising inflation.
Harris’ Game Plan
Harris aims to balance credit for the Biden administration’s successes while addressing vulnerabilities like inflation. She is also likely to depict Trump as erratic and dangerous, drawing attention to his ongoing claims about the 2020 election and recent threats to imprison political opponents. Her performance could prove pivotal, potentially reshaping the race if she struggles to maintain her footing.
Where to Watch
The debate will air live on ABC News, with absentee ballots set to go out the following day in key states such as Alabama. This debate may be the final opportunity for voters to see the candidates confront each other before the election.
