Washington DC September 10:
Ahead of the US presidential elections this November, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are poised to square off in their first debate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday. The discussion will mark the first time that the Democratic and Republican candidate will meet in person and share a stage. The two will battle for 90 minutes in a setting, which will have no studio audience nor will the two be allowed to have pre-written notes or props. The two candidates will also not be authorized to question each other directly.
ABC News source, which is moderating the debate, said the battle is taking place months after the last debate ended President Joe Biden's re-election attempt and launched Harris as the Democratic contender.
As the countdown to Election Day hits its final stretch, the stakes have never been higher. Tonight's highly anticipated debate will see the candidates probed on the issues that matter most to voters, including the economy, immigration, and reproductive rights, as each tries to persuade millions of voters and viewers that they're the ones most qualified to be president.
"I think there's an outsized anticipation of 'oh, the previous man dropped out, let's watch it.' So, I think that there's a lot more at risk than ordinarily I would ever say is at stake," stated Sean Spicer, Trump's first White House press secretary, as cited by ABC.
Tonight's highly anticipated debate promises to be a key moment for Kamala Harris, as she faces heavy criticism for the Biden administration's handling of thorny subjects like border security and inflation. Moderators will undoubtedly urge her to reconcile her current opinions with the more liberal ones she took during her 2020 presidential campaign, especially her recent shifts on fracking, immigration policy, and healthcare.
Donald Trump, famed for his power to control the political debate and exploit his opponents' vulnerabilities, will certainly seek to capitalize on his strengths on immigration and trade.
As Trump speaks with Harris, he must walk cautiously to avoid alienating female voters, among whom his support is already weak. He risks losing even more support from this important group if he comes across as arrogant or uncaring. The historic chance for the Democratic Party to connect with different people and oppose Trump’s divisive rhetoric is presented by Harris, the first woman of color to run for vice president on a major party ticket.
There are two primary objectives for Harris, according to Democrats who talked with ABC News. "affirm to voters that she is ready to lead the country and the free world and to describe in more detail what policies she'd pursue as president."
In a similar vein, Republican sources who spoke with ABC News suggested that Trump should highlight his differences in policy on topics such as immigration and inflation, while simultaneously trying to highlight her shifts in position on topics like fracking. He could also emphasize his consistent stance on issues like abortion.
According to ABC News, Trump has placed the blame for inflation on the actions of the Biden-Harris administration. Inflation hit a 40-year peak in 2022 but has since slowed down to 2.9% year-over-year as of July.
The restoration of "energy independence" through more oil drilling and decreased gas prices is one of Trump's promised cost-cutting measures. Along with lowering the national debt and doing away with regulations, he plans to impose tariffs on foreign imports and provide a slew of tax cuts for American firms.
A government prohibition on corporate price-gouging on food and groceries, a minimum wage increase, 3 million new housing units, a monetary stimulus package of USD 25,000 for first-time homeowners, and other measures make up Harris's "opportunity economy" plan.
Along with a reduced long-term capital gains tax rate of 28 percent, she has proposed a tax break of USD 50,000 for new small firms.
David Muir, host of "World News Tonight" and managing editor, and Linsey Davis, host of "Prime" on ABC News Live, will preside over the discussion.
In the sole debate set to take place between Trump and Harris in the 2024 race—a debate that might be a defining event for either campaign—the Disney-owned network faces a major challenge.
Not only might this debate set the tone for the remaining two months of the 2024 presidential campaign, but it will also be the final opportunity for both candidates to reach out to people in places where their vote counts.
