In a critical moment for the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris will go head-to-head with former President Donald Trump on Tuesday in a high-stakes debate that could reshape the trajectory of the race. This face-off comes after President Joe Biden’s June debate debacle against Trump led him to bow out of his re-election bid, leaving Harris to take up the Democratic mantle.
Harris’ campaign has since revitalized a race many Democrats feared was slipping away, restoring key swing states to the electoral battlefield. She has united her party and positioned herself as a voice of generational change. Polls now show her running neck-and-neck with Trump, yet her path to the critical 270 electoral votes remains uncertain.
While presidential debates rarely dictate elections, Harris’ upcoming encounter with Trump presents a defining opportunity. The stakes are magnified by Trump’s own combative campaign, bolstered by his defiance of criminal charges and an assassination attempt. Harris, meanwhile, faces scrutiny over her political agility and must use this debate to solidify her standing.
The Contrast on Stage
This debate marks Harris’ first meeting with Trump, a seasoned debater with a track record of using personal attacks. The former president has questioned her race and intelligence, using racially charged and sexist language. Harris has so far dismissed these comments, focusing on policy and steering clear of Trump’s provocations.
Harris faces the challenge of confronting Trump, who is deeply experienced in presidential debates, having taken the stage in three previous elections. The vice president, despite her limited national debate exposure, is determined to shift public perception and seize control of the campaign narrative.
A Crucial Moment for Harris
With the debate taking place in Philadelphia, Harris has the chance to win over undecided voters, particularly in battleground states. Polls show that many voters are still forming opinions about her, offering her room to grow. Her campaign has focused on addressing economic challenges, such as fighting price gouging, expanding home ownership opportunities, and making rent more affordable.
The debate is seen as her most significant opportunity to present her policies as credible solutions, contrasting with Trump’s often chaotic leadership style. A successful performance could lay the foundation for Harris to build momentum in the final weeks leading to Election Day on November 5.
Challenges and Risks Ahead
Harris’ performance will have to walk a fine line—responding to Trump’s attacks while promoting her vision for the country. In a radio interview on Monday, Harris acknowledged Trump’s expected strategy of lies and personal attacks, but stressed her intent to focus on issues that matter to the American people.
Still, Harris must also navigate the contradictions in her campaign, as she seeks to represent change while being part of the current Biden administration. Trump’s team has already attacked her on issues such as economic management and immigration, areas where polls show she often trails him.
Another challenge is to address past policy shifts, particularly on issues like fracking and climate change, where her positions have evolved since her 2019 primary run. Trump is expected to target these perceived flip-flops in an effort to undermine her credibility.
Trump’s Strategy and Expectations
Trump’s team has made clear its dismissive view of Harris’ political capabilities, expecting her to stumble as she did earlier in her vice presidency. Trump himself hinted at letting Harris speak, confident that she would expose weaknesses in her argument.
But Harris’ team, backed by seasoned Democratic strategists, is confident she will be prepared. Former Biden adviser Anita Dunn pointed out that Trump’s unpredictability and tendency to go off-script is both his strength and his weakness. Dunn emphasized the importance of Harris sticking to her game plan and focusing on delivering her message to the American people, rather than getting caught up in Trump’s rhetoric.
As the debate looms, the stakes could not be higher for both candidates. For Harris, it is an opportunity to demonstrate her readiness to lead the nation and offer voters a clear alternative to Trump’s vision for the future.