“This will be the most important moment in the 2024 U.S. presidential election,” said CNN, describing the first televised debate between Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, which took place on the evening of the 10th local time. According to several recent polls in the U.S., Harris and Trump remain neck-and-neck, with the race being so tight that the outcome of the election has become even more unpredictable. AFP reported that this debate is likely the only face-to-face televised debate between Harris and Trump before the November 5th election and could be a key factor in determining the election’s outcome.
“A Clash of Different Styles”
According to a report by CNN on September 9th, the debate was held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and was moderated by prominent ABC News anchors Linsey Davis and David Muir. The debate was expected to last 90 minutes. As with the June debate between Trump and Biden, each candidate’s microphone was only turned on when it was their turn to speak, and muted at all other times.
The report indicated that the two candidates had completely different approaches to preparing for this critical debate. In the days leading up to the debate, Harris had been meticulously preparing with her aides at a hotel in Pittsburgh, only making brief public appearances occasionally.
CNN noted that this debate is especially crucial for Harris, who is striving to establish her image among voters and maintain the momentum she has gained since becoming the new Democratic candidate this summer. Harris is preparing for what may be her only direct encounter with Trump, a vital moment to show the American people that she is ready to assume the presidency.
In contrast, Trump continued to hold campaign rallies frequently in the days leading up to the debate, maintaining his aggressive style. According to Fox News, Trump issued a warning at a campaign rally in Wisconsin on the 7th, claiming that if he does not win the presidential election, Israel, under Harris’s leadership in America, “is destined to perish,” and that this November’s election “may be America’s last.” Trump also used insulting language to attack Harris again that day.
AFP reported that Harris, while visiting a spice shop in Pennsylvania on the 7th, emphasized the importance of unity, presenting a stark contrast to Trump. When asked what message she most wanted to convey in the debate, Harris said: “It’s time to turn the page on division, it’s time to unite our country… we should chart a new path forward.”
The Economist said the debate between Harris and Trump would be a clash of different styles. Trump is always long-winded, as demonstrated by his 92-minute speech at the Republican nomination, while Harris only spoke for 38 minutes during her Democratic nomination speech. The report noted that during Harris’s one-on-one debate with then-Vice President Mike Pence in 2020, Harris spoke for about 17% less time than Pence. However, Harris still managed to control the pace of the debate, leaving a lasting impression with her firm response to Pence’s interruptions, “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking.”
Politico reported that some Republicans are concerned that Trump might squander the debate opportunity, particularly if he focuses on personal attacks against Harris rather than her policies. The report stated that Republican allies believe the most important thing for Trump in this debate is to ensure he doesn’t come off as too aggressive. If Trump attacks too harshly, it could backfire.
The Guardian reported on September 9th that just 75 days ago, Biden performed poorly in his debate against Trump, causing a political earthquake and ultimately forcing him to withdraw from the presidential race. While few expect such an explosive outcome in the Harris-Trump debate, for Trump, it may be his only chance to end Harris’s “honeymoon period” with voters.
Neck-and-Neck in Support
Ahead of the televised debate, recent polls showed that competition between the two candidates was extremely tight nationwide and in key battleground states. On the 8th, a CBS poll conducted with a polling company showed that in the key states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, the competition between Harris and Trump was very close, with support rates of 50% to 50%, 50% to 49%, and 51% to 49%, respectively. In terms of handling economic issues, 58% of respondents believed Trump was more capable, compared to 42% for Harris. However, the poll indicated that Harris’s positions were viewed as more “mainstream” by voters, while Trump’s positions were seen as more “extreme.”
A poll published by The New York Times and Siena College on the 8th also showed that Trump (48%) was leading Harris (47%) by just one percentage point, which falls within the margin of error, indicating that the two are virtually tied. The report suggested that this poll might dampen the enthusiasm of Democratic voters. The report stated that this election is about change, and Harris needs to prove that she can bring about that change. More than 60% of voters said the next president should bring significant changes to the U.S. compared to Biden’s term, but only 25% believed Harris represents that change. However, more respondents viewed Trump as slightly more dangerous to America than Harris.
Politico reported that the latest polls show that the momentum behind Harris’s rapid rise in support has slowed, but it has not reversed. Her popularity continues to grow, and Democratic voter enthusiasm is higher than it was when Biden was the candidate. The key issue for Harris remains Trump’s enduring advantage: the economy. In several recent polls, Trump leads Harris by double digits in terms of who voters trust to handle the economy.
“Preparing for a Storm of Election Chaos”
Al Jazeera reported that this televised debate has attracted significant attention across the U.S. Perry, a historian at the University of Virginia, said: “You can sum it up in one sentence: This will be the most important debate in American history.” Carl, a professor at the University of Michigan, said that the June debate between Biden and Trump showed that a single notable mistake could cost a candidate the election. He said: “This debate may not win you the election, but it could lose you the election.”
“America is preparing for a storm of election chaos.” Axios reported that increasingly, signs suggest this is an election on a powder keg, one that will test the boundaries of American democracy and civility. A storm is brewing—extreme polarization, political violence, historic litigation, and rampant misinformation are fueling this storm, and America is headed for chaos in November. On the 7th, Trump posted on Truth Social, vowing to impose “long prison sentences” on anyone involved in “unethical behavior” in the 2024 election. Meanwhile, Democrats have assembled a large legal team to prepare for fierce election challenges. In addition, “the specter of violence looms over America,” with more than two-thirds of Americans fearing extreme violence after the election. From voters and political parties to Hollywood and major retailers, the entire country is preparing for potential chaos.
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