This Tuesday's debate between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump is expected to set the stage for a turning point in the U.S. presidential race. This will be a major conversation that could impact the outcome of the election on November 5th, and it is set to take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Harris and Trump will engage in a 90-minute debate; they have never met or spoken face-to-face before. They will participate in what is anticipated to be a contentious debate while answering questions from ABC News hosts Linsey Davis and David Muir.
The discussion is expected to be seen by tens of millions of Americans, so both candidates will have a significant chance to influence undecided voters. The debate is especially significant because it takes place a few weeks before early voting starts in numerous states.
Voters' perceptions are significantly influenced by the debate, as seen by the close contest shown in national surveys. For the few people who are still undecided, the outcome of this discussion could have a big influence on their decision.
With President Joe Biden withdrawing his own reelection campaign in July, and Trump seeking to win back the White House in 2020, the stakes are quite high. Democrats are rallying around Harris's campaign as a result of Biden endorsing her to be his successor.
Harris now has a two to three-percentage point lead against Trump in national surveys following Biden's resignation. But according to a recent New York Times-Siena College survey, Trump leads the country by a slim margin, 48–47%.
However, an average of several polls conducted in crucial battleground states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania shows Harris leading these states. The candidates are tied in other important states like North Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada.
Given that the electoral votes from individual states determine the outcome of the U.S. presidential election rather than the national popular vote, the outcome in these seven battleground states is anticipated to be crucial in determining the winner.
In order to strengthen their positions and obtain an edge in the final days before Election Day, both candidates must present their cases to the voters during the debate.
Given that early voting is quickly approaching and national polls show a close race, the debate will give Harris and Trump a last significant stage on which to address voters and maybe change the course of the election.