Harris and Trump Gear Up for Tonight’s Debate Showdown

Harris and Trump Gear Up for Tonight’s Debate Showdown

As the highly anticipated debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump approaches, there's no clear leader in the 2024 presidential race. According to the latest CNN Poll of Polls, Harris has the slight edge, with 49% support among voters, while Trump follows closely at 48%. This close race suggests that tonight’s debate could be pivotal for both candidates, as they aim to sway undecided voters.

The CNN Poll of Polls is an average of the six most recent non-partisan national surveys of registered or likely voters. These polls meet CNN’s standards and focus specifically on a potential 2024 presidential election matchup between Harris and Trump. Notably, surveys that include third-party or independent candidates are excluded, making the results a direct comparison between the two.

This average has remained unchanged since the last update, with five of the six recent national polls showing a margin of 1 point or less between the candidates. One of the most recent polls, conducted by NPR/PBS News/Marist College, reflects this tight race, with Harris holding 49% of the support compared to Trump’s 48%. The polling data was gathered after the Democratic National Convention in August, where Harris officially accepted her party's nomination.

Voter interest in tonight’s debate is high, with the NPR/PBS/Marist poll revealing that 72% of registered voters plan to watch the event. Of those, 30% believe the debate will significantly impact their choice for president. This makes the debate a crucial moment for both Harris and Trump to solidify their positions and gain momentum in the final stretch of the campaign.

Trump Campaign Prepares to Target Harris

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has been gearing up for tonight’s debate by previewing some of the attacks Trump is expected to use against Harris. According to campaign spokesperson Jason Miller, Trump will argue that Harris is responsible for the Biden administration's policies and decisions, including handling immigration at the US-Mexico border, stimulus packages, and the controversial withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

Miller stated that Trump would portray Harris as “owning” the administration's track record, particularly highlighting her tie-breaking votes in the Senate and her role in the current policies. Miller also hinted that there might be “surprises” during the debate, leaving room for unexpected attacks or challenges from Trump’s side.

One of the key points the Trump campaign plans to emphasize is Harris’ consistency in values, despite her shifting positions on certain issues over the years. During an interview with CNN, Harris mentioned that while her positions have evolved, her core values remain unchanged. Trump’s team sees this as an opportunity to question what Harris stands for and how her values align with her policy decisions.

The Trump campaign has also suggested that Harris has played a more central role in the administration than President Joe Biden. Miller referred to it as the "Harris-Biden" administration, implying that Harris has been calling the shots. This line of attack is likely to be a focal point in the debate as Trump aims to position Harris as the true leader of the current administration.

Trump's Debate Strategy

On the other side, the Trump campaign has been clear that the former president intends to “be himself” during the debate. Miller emphasized that Trump has been actively engaging in various types of interviews, press conferences, rallies, and town halls throughout the campaign, giving him a well-rounded preparation for the debate. According to Miller, Trump is ready to answer any question thrown his way, thanks to the extensive public appearances he's made during his campaign.

In contrast, the Trump campaign portrays Harris as undergoing rigorous debate preparation, surrounded by new advisers who have worked for former President Barack Obama. Miller painted a picture of Harris being overwhelmed by debate prep materials and trying to figure out her stance on key issues. This portrayal is likely intended to contrast with Trump’s more freewheeling, spontaneous approach, which Miller claims will showcase Trump’s confidence and authenticity.

As the debate approaches, both candidates will be under intense scrutiny from voters looking for clarity on their policies, leadership styles, and overall vision for the country. With such a tight race, tonight’s debate could prove to be a turning point in the 2024 presidential election, giving one candidate the momentum needed to pull ahead in the polls.