The First Presidential Debate and the Beginnings of Early Voting
As the sun sets on a day filled with anticipation and nerves, the first early ballots of the presidential race are set to go out. This significant moment coincides with the highly anticipated debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, scheduled just hours before Alabama’s absentee ballots are mailed to voters.
At 9 p.m. Eastern in Philadelphia, Harris and Trump will come face-to-face for what may be their only debate, offering a high-pressure opportunity to showcase their markedly different visions for the country. The political landscape has shifted dramatically since the last debate, with Joe Biden exiting the race, an assassination attempt on Trump, and both candidates selecting their running mates.
Harris, as the first woman, Black person, and person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president, faces the challenge of presenting a compelling Democratic case against Trump. In contrast, Trump aims to depict Harris as an out-of-touch liberal while appealing to skeptical voters considering his return to the White House.
Trump’s Strategy Against Harris
Trump and his campaign have been highlighting Harris’s far-left positions from her failed 2020 presidential bid. With informal debate preparations assisted by Tulsi Gabbard, they aim to underscore Harris’s policy shifts and cast doubt on her consistency and pragmatism.
Trump views a Harris presidency as a potential threat to national security, emphasizing immigration issues and economic concerns. Despite facing a female opponent, Trump’s team asserts that his approach will remain true to his style of direct engagement.
Harris’s Response and Focus
As Harris defends her evolving stances and pragmatism on various issues, she plans to position herself as a stable, reliable leader capable of navigating complex challenges. Her emphasis on calling out Trump’s inconsistencies on women’s reproductive rights and highlighting the threats she perceives to democracy will be key aspects of her debate strategy.
As the candidates gear up for this pivotal moment, the nation prepares to witness a clash of ideologies and personalities that could shape the course of the upcoming election. Stay tuned for further updates on the evolving dynamics of the presidential race.
Contributions to this report by AP Polling Editor Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux in Washington and Associated Press writers Thomas Beaumont in Las Vegas, Bill Barrow in Atlanta, and Josh Boak in Pittsburgh.