Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are finalizing the details of the debate on Tuesday, September 10.
The presidential candidates for the November 5 election, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, are preparing for the crucial debate on Tuesday, September 10, in very different ways. This debate, which will be held at ABC’s studios in Philadelphia, is likely to be the only one of the campaign.
The previous debate between Trump and Biden on June 27 will be remembered for prompting Biden to withdraw his candidacy. Although the expectations for Tuesday’s debate are not as high, the close polls and the fact that it could be the only face-to-face encounter make it significant for its potential influence on undecided voters.
In his last public rally on Saturday in Wisconsin, Trump barely mentioned the debate, except to comment that he could “destroy her (Kamala)” but that the mainstream media would still say he was humiliated, implying a bias against him.
True to his style, Trump has spent several days discrediting Kamala Harris, highlighting her inexperience, flip-flopping on issues, and her limited political accomplishments, claiming that this makes her an easy target. He has joked that Harris has been “locked up” for days preparing for the debate out of fear of facing him.
On the other hand, Trump boasts that he doesn’t need any special preparation: “I’ve been preparing my whole life for this debate… You either know your subject, or you don’t. I live with my subject: I live with all those horrible problems they (the Democrats) have caused. We’ve had meetings, sure, we’ve talked, but there’s not much you can do. Either you know it, or you don’t,” he said in an interview in New Hampshire this week.
Credit: AP
Contrasting Styles
Trump appears to be correct, as revealed on Saturday by The New York Times. According to the newspaper, Kamala Harris has secluded herself for five days in a hotel in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania, the same state as Philadelphia) and recreated a debate-like setting, complete with a ‘Trump double’ who dresses and speaks like him.
In contrast, Trump follows a much more improvised approach, although his advisers have convinced him to sit down and learn how to respond to the toughest questions—especially those Harris may ask about his legal issues. This difficult role is being played by Florida Republican Matt Gaetz.
Politico.com also noted on Saturday that Trump’s inner circle fears he might not focus on policy (specifically Harris’ supposed shortcomings) but instead descend into personal attacks, something he might do if he feels cornered. This would reveal a side of Trump that captivates his base but is unlikely to win over undecided voters.
Muted Microphones
The debate rules have been carefully negotiated by both candidates’ teams, and they have decided to keep the same conditions as the Biden/Trump debate: no audience, timed speaking and rebuttal periods, no contact with their teams during breaks, and no pre-prepared notes allowed.
One of the most sensitive issues has been that of muted microphones. Harris’ team unsuccessfully tried to keep the mics open, arguing that this would prevent them from making spontaneous rebuttals and would shield Trump from unscripted exchanges, as they wrote to ABC.
As for the choice of ABC as the host network, Trump has repeatedly criticized the channel’s editorial stance, calling it “the most disgusting” of networks and suggesting a bias against him, possibly due to alleged friendships between Harris and a former ABC executive.
Trump has even claimed that ABC provided Kamala Harris with the debate questions in advance, a claim the network has firmly denied.
As the debate day approaches, it seems unlikely that Trump will back out. He holds a significant advantage in terms of stage presence compared to Harris. The only thing that might hurt him is his own personality and tendency to stray from any script.
Source: EFE.
