Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump: The September Debate That Could Change Everything
The Harris vs. Trump debate is shaping up to be a crucial turning point in what has already been a highly unusual campaign. President Joe Biden once hoped that the June debate would revitalize his faltering campaign. Now, Donald Trump seems to be making a similar gamble by agreeing to debate on ABC next month, as his new Democratic challenger gains momentum.
Trump, confident he won’t face the same outcome as Biden, has even called for additional debates on NBC and Fox, though Kamala Harris has not yet agreed to them. This move reflects the changing dynamics of the election. After a strong week for Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Trump suddenly seems like yesterday’s news—a tough pill to swallow for an ex-president who’s used to controlling the narrative.
Both candidates face significant challenges. If the September 10 debate goes ahead, it could be another defining moment in the final stretch of the campaign. Trump is already downplaying Harris’s abilities, despite her potential to become the first Black and South Asian woman president. At a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump dismissed Harris, saying, “She’s not as smart as Biden. I don’t think he’s very smart either, to be honest.”
For Harris, this debate could be a major test. Her previous debate performances have been mixed—she started strong in the 2020 Democratic primaries but struggled at times. However, she’s now a more seasoned politician and her supporters are eager to see her use her prosecutorial skills against Trump, who is facing multiple indictments.
Harris responded to Trump’s change of heart about the ABC debate by saying she’s open to discussing another debate later on. “I’m glad he’s finally agreed to a debate on September 10. I’m looking forward to it, and I hope he shows up,” she said before boarding Air Force Two in Detroit.
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As the campaign heats up, Trump appears to be struggling to find his footing. He seems to be clinging to the idea of facing Biden and is in denial about the early success of Harris and Walz. When asked why he wasn’t doing more to counter the Harris campaign’s momentum, Trump claimed, “I’m leading by a lot, and I’m letting their convention play out.” He also insisted that he hasn’t changed his strategy, sticking to familiar themes like immigration and border security.
Now the scenario is a little shifted that Trump’s campaign needs a reboot. Harris has managed to close the gap between Trump and Biden.
Trump’s challenge isn’t a lack of valid criticisms against Harris and Walz. Many Americans are still feeling the pinch of high prices and economic uncertainty, and global tensions are rising. Harris is closely associated with the Biden administration’s record on these issues. The new Democratic ticket hasn’t laid out clear policies to address these concerns, and Harris has yet to face tough questioning from the media. Many Republicans and right-leaning independents still support Trump’s stance on immigration, despite a recent decrease in migrant arrivals.
However, Trump’s campaign is not effectively capitalizing on these points. Instead, he’s fixated on personal grievances, as seen in his off-the-cuff remarks comparing his crowd sizes to those of Martin Luther King Jr. Trump also appears to be laying the groundwork to contest the election results if he loses, falsely claiming that the Democratic Party’s change in nominees was unconstitutional.
The Harris campaign responded to Trump’s press conference with a statement mocking his outbursts, pointing out that he hasn’t been actively campaigning while Harris and Walz draw large crowds in key battleground states.
Trump’s strategy of fear-mongering is familiar territory. On Thursday, he warned of a looming Great Depression and World War III if he’s not re-elected. This dark vision contrasts sharply with the optimistic energy surrounding the Harris campaign, which has been drawing enthusiastic crowds across the country.
Despite fears of a recession, the unemployment rate remains low at 4.3%, and the economy is growing steadily. While global conflicts continue, there’s no immediate threat of a third world war. The tone of the 2024 campaign has shifted rapidly. Just three weeks ago, Republicans left their convention in Milwaukee confident in Trump’s chances, especially after an assassination attempt seemed to boost his campaign.
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Now, Trump appears politically paralyzed, but he’s not likely to stay that way. His entire political career has been about exploiting crises for political gain, and his 2024 campaign is no different. After all, this is the man who turned a mugshot into a rallying cry that crushed his primary opponents.
Harris has managed to bring the race back to a close contest. However, despite his strong performance this week, he has not been tested in the full glare of a national presidential campaign. The path to 270 electoral votes remains challenging for Democrats, even as Harris has put some key battleground states back into play.
Trump’s team insists that Harris’s early success was anticipated. “They’re just winning back voters they should have had all along,” one official said. “The fundamentals of the race haven’t changed. When voters are asked if they’d rather return to the Trump economy or stick with Biden’s, we win two-to-one.”
This is why many Republicans believe that their version of reality will soon take hold. “The honeymoon period will end,” Trump assured on Thursday.
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But for now, Trump seems unsure of how to make that happen.
