American future generations may reflect on this intense period in their nation’s development and be astounded by the profound influence of what is essentially a television show. The ABC debate in Philadelphia, occurring early morning Irish time, between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and incumbent Republican President Donald Trump, is set against a backdrop of recent poll results which indicate a nearly evenly split electorate, just eight weeks before election day. This could arguably be considered the pivotal point in Harris’s political career.
Trump, who over the years has cemented his public persona long before his controversial transformation of the traditional Republican Party, is a familiar figure to Americans. A recent weekend poll by the New York Times/Siena suggests a slight lead for Trump by two percentage points.
More notably, however, a staggering 28% of probable voters need more information about Harris before deciding whether she is their preferred choice. This sentiment is shared by a meagre 9% for Trump. Consequently, the ABC debate provides a unique opportunity for Harris to sway millions of undecided voters. Yet, it also poses significant risks.
Numerous politicians from both political factions have experienced the challenges of confronting Trump in a debate, from his unconventional role as the outsider who swept the Republican primary in 2016 to his latest debate with Joe Biden in late June, a low point in his public appearances that eventually resulted in his race withdrawal.
Harris spent the past weekend finalising preparations at a Pittsburgh hotel. During one of her rare public appearances at Penzey’s Spice store, she provided a sneak peek into the message she intends to deliver to the national audience in tonight’s debate.
“There is a need to unify the nation and navigate a new path altogether.” Conveying this in an illustrative manner will be a challenging task for Harris as she attempts to distinguish her presidency from Biden’s. However, according to a recent survey, only a quarter of participants view Harris as someone who “embodies change”, while more than half believe the same of Trump. Additionally, Trump has a slight edge when it comes to issues deemed important to people.
The focus of the election is primarily on the economy, border protection, and reproductive rights. Harris is tasked with highlighting the radical stand of Trump/Vance on abortion rights. Countering Trump’s accusation of her being the “border tzar” during Biden’s administration will require a more robust defense. Convincing voters that she is the ideal choice when it comes to economic matters is the most significant argument to win.
When survey participants express concern over the economy, they’re not just talking about the national economic growth, but their personal financial situations. The escalation in inflation over the past four years is an undeniable issue. Towards the end of Biden’s campaign, he was asked by Democratic strategists to shift focus from the abstract idea of “a fight for democracy” to the increasing cost of everyday items like eggs.
When Harris took up the mantle of a candidate, there was a significant wave of enthusiasm and positivity, giving people a sense of hope that the bleak discourse of the previous ten years could be replaced with a shared sense of “joy”, a sentiment that became the unofficial slogan of the party’s convention in Chicago.
Nevertheless, recent polls might indicate a shift in perspective. Trump’s campaign has faced setbacks, including a squabble with those who oversee Arlington cemetery and public reprimands over re-sharing a vulgar and defamatory social media post involving both Harris and Hillary Clinton, who Trump defeated in the 2016 election.
Over the weekend, he returned to the X forum, an Elon Musk platform he was permitted to utilise again last month. With his signature use of capital letters, he predicted widespread dishonesty and trickery in the previous election whilst threatening to heavily scrutinise this year’s vote count. He publicised that there would be extended prison sentences for any attorneys, contributors, political agents, or electoral officials found guilty of misconduct. This stern warning once again highlights Trump’s malicious intention to avenge what he persists to perceive as an ‘unjustly lost’ election, hidden behind his often absurd persona.
On Monday, the GOP foreign affairs committee from the Republican party published an extensive report accusing the Biden-Harris leadership of deception during the Afghanistan evacuation, alleging they “misinformed and on certain occasions, blatantly lied to the US citizens”. The timing of the report’s release was not coincidental.
However, it is how Kamala Harris delivers her message, rather than its content that will remain with viewers after the 90-minute dialogue. This presents a crucial opportunity for her to persuade the public that she is their preferred choice for the next four years.
Interestingly, this will be the inaugural face-to-face encounter for Harris and Trump, an encounter which is sure to linger in both their memories.