The debate that was never expected to occur is now set to take center stage in Philadelphia. On Tuesday night, Donald Trump will face Kamala Harris, the US Vice President, in a pivotal encounter that promises to reshape the presidential race. This debate is a significant shift from what Trump anticipated when he initially agreed to the event in May. Instead of a rematch with President Joe Biden, whose performance in a June debate led to his withdrawal from the race, Trump will confront Harris, a fresh adversary he has yet to fully define.
Trump had initially prepared for a debate with Biden, with whom he had a contentious history from the 2020 election. However, the unexpected withdrawal of Biden, following a less-than-stellar performance in Atlanta, has left Trump scrambling to adapt his strategy against Harris.
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| Donald Trump and Kamala Harris make final preparations for a high-stakes debate in Philadelphia, marking a pivotal moment in the 2024 presidential race |
Harris, for her part, enters the debate well-prepared. Her team has trained her using techniques to counter Trump’s often combative and derogatory debate style, especially towards women. Harris, drawing on her experience as a former prosecutor, is also buoyed by her opponent’s recent legal troubles, including a conviction on 34 felony charges.
The debate takes place in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state where polls show a tight race nationally and in key swing states. Hosted by ABC, the debate will follow the same format as the Trump-Biden debates, with microphones muted while the opposing candidate speaks. Although Harris’s campaign argued for live mics throughout to provoke Trump into potential outbursts, Trump’s team has insisted on retaining the original rules to keep him focused.
According to Steven Fein, a presidential debate specialist and psychology professor at Williams College, Trump’s reaction to Biden’s exit and Harris’s presence could significantly influence the debate’s dynamics. Fein suggests that Trump’s tendency to react harshly to women, especially women of color, could make for a highly charged and unpredictable debate.
Trump has been preparing with various advisers, including Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic Congresswoman who has since supported Trump and previously clashed with Harris in a primary debate. Jason Miller, a Trump adviser, emphasized that Trump’s unscripted style and daily public appearances make him a challenging opponent to prepare for. Miller likened preparing for Trump to training for a match against Muhammad Ali, highlighting the unpredictability and complexity of Trump’s debate approach.
As the debate approaches, all eyes will be on how Harris and Trump navigate this crucial confrontation, which could have significant implications for the 2024 presidential race.
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