Trump face Kamala

Harris and Trump face off in historic debate, experts point to 'High, high stakes'

In what may be the defining moment of the 2024 presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump face off Tuesday in their first and potentially only debate.

And with a margin of error race with eight weeks to go until Election Day and early voting getting underway this month in some crucial battleground states, there's no denying how much is on the line as Harris and Trump face-off for 90 minutes in primetime at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center.

"It's high, high, high stakes. This is going to be a really, really important moment in the campaign," longtime Republican strategist and veteran of numerous GOP presidential campaigns David Kochel told Fox News Digital.

With the presidency up for grabs, the intense jockeying by both candidates and their camps has been heating up ahead of the debate.

"There's no floor for him in terms of how low he will go. And, and we should be prepared for that. We should be prepared for the fact that he is not burdened by telling the truth," the vice president charged in a radio interview on the eve of the debate.

The comment appeared to be the latest stab by Harris to roil Trump in the days leading up to the showdown.

Hours later, on Tuesday morning, another jab, as the Harris campaign launched a new ad that spotlights Trump's age and seeming obsession with crowd sizes, as it used clips from former President Barack Obama's much-talked about tweaks of Trump during his Democratic National Convention speech last month.

Trump has repeatedly insulted the vice president over her intelligence, mockingly nicknamed her ‘Comrade Harris,' and even questioned her racial identity in the month and a half since Harris replaced President Biden atop the Democrats' 2024 ticket.

The upcoming debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the 2024 presidential election. With the race tightening and early voting about to begin in key battleground states, the stakes for this face-off couldn't be higher.

Veteran Republican strategist David Kochel underscores the gravity of the situation, calling the debate a "really, really important moment" in the campaign. The outcome could significantly influence undecided voters and sway the final weeks leading up to Election Day.

In the lead-up to the debate, both candidates have intensified their efforts to gain the upper hand. Harris has been vocal in her criticisms of Trump, accusing him of dishonesty and preparing voters for potentially aggressive tactics from him. This was evident in a recent radio interview where she expressed concerns about Trump's approach to the debate.

Additionally, the Harris campaign has been active with new advertisements that highlight Trump's age and past behavior, including a focus on his fixation with crowd sizes. This strategy aims to reinforce perceptions of Trump as out of touch and divisive, drawing on moments from former President Barack Obama's recent speech.

On the other hand, Trump has continued his attacks on Harris, questioning her intelligence and making derogatory remarks. His approach has been characterized by a willingness to push boundaries and challenge norms, which could influence his debate performance and overall campaign strategy.

With both sides preparing for a high-stakes exchange, the debate promises to be a critical juncture in the 2024 presidential race, potentially shaping the narrative and momentum heading into the final stretch of the campaign.