Tonight marks a make-or-break moment as Kamala Harris goes head-to-head with Donald Trump in their first and only presidential debate. While Trump is well known to the American public, many voters are still unsure about Harris. She has a lot riding on this performance, given that polls suggest Americans aren’t as familiar with her beliefs and policies. With Trump’s solid base already in place, this debate is all about Kamala’s chance to define herself—or fall short.
Why Kamala Harris Faces More Pressure
Kamala Harris’s past public appearances have been mixed, with unfavorable reactions from voters when she first introduced herself on the national stage. Multiple polling dips followed her early speeches and as vice president, her numbers weren’t exactly soaring when put under the spotlight. The key obstacle she faces is people’s perception—they’ve seen her before and, in many cases, they didn’t like what they saw.
Her challenge now? Changing those opinions by delivering a strong, clear, and authentic message. Unlike Biden, who may have struggled against Donald Trump during debates in 2020, Harris doesn’t have any history of overseeing big national debates by herself. The stakes are incredibly high. Is she ready for the spotlight? Critics are skeptical after seeing her previous performances.
Trump’s Task: Keep Harris on the Defensive
For Trump, the most strategic move might be to corner Harris on her beliefs and past policies. Harris leans into progressive ideas, many of which are seen as radical by moderates and conservatives. Trump won’t waste time challenging her on these points, steering her into a place where she has to justify her more controversial stances. His goal will be to make her look radical and disconnected—forcing her into defensive mode.
But Harris’s potential escape plan seems clear: attack, attack, attack. If she can keep Trump on defense, throwing out issues from January 6 to past scandals, that might be her best shot at flipping the debate in her favor. The plan? Be aggressive and hope Trump stumbles.
Harris’s Possible Strategy: Establishing Distance from Biden
If Harris is smart, she’ll find a way to distance herself from the Joe Biden administration while still reaping the benefits of being his VP. She might remind voters: “I’m not Joe Biden.” It’s a needed pivot. Biden’s administration has come under heavy criticism, and Harris could benefit from drawing a line between herself and her predecessor—not as a rejection of him, but as evidence of her distinction and independence. That kind of moment could really resonate with voters.
However, the challenge with this approach is balance. Her experience in politics is rooted in being Biden’s vice president, so she can’t stray too far without undercutting her qualifications. The line she needs to walk is thin—and tricky.
Lowering Expectations and the Media’s Role
There’s also the issue of expectations. Some analysts suggest the media has been so easy on Harris these past weeks that she may have an advantage—lower expectations. If she avoids fumbling too badly or getting too deep into what critics call “word salads,” many may simply say she looked presidential.
That kind of strategy—laying low and avoiding errors—might save her from major damage, but it won’t help her break through with undecided voters. Ameriсa already knows Donald Trump. It’s Kamala Harris whom they need to learn about.
Authenticity Matters More Than Talking Points
Perhaps the biggest test facing Harris tonight is how authentic she appears. Judge Jeanine on The Five made a solid point: authenticity matters far more than rehearsed lines. No matter how slick or prepared a candidate is, if they don’t seem genuine, voters won’t trust them. Harris must come off as a leader with conviction, not just someone parroting a rehearsed message. The electorate wants someone they feel gives honest answers—a major challenge if Harris over-prepares and delivers everything with stiffness.
In contrast, Trump’s style stands out for its rawness and self-assuredness. He doesn’t shy away from confrontation or going off-script, which, while polarizing, may work well in his favor against a candidate struggling to make a solid personal connection.
Could the Democrats Get Cold Feet?
One fascinating thought posed in the discussion was whether the Democratic Party might reconsider Harris’s place in the race if this debate goes poorly. With speculation that the party could swap her out as they did when Biden chose her to be his running mate without a primary, some wonder if they’re already having second thoughts. However, many say this is simply not realistic at the current stage, with Harris being locked in as the candidate moving forward.
Jessica Tarlov was firm on The Five—Harris isn’t going anywhere, and any notion otherwise is, in her words, “astronomically wrong.”
Trump’s Ceiling vs. Kamala’s Opportunity
Where Trump’s ceiling appears well established—his supporters know him, and his opposition is staunch—Harris arguably has more room to grow. Recent CNN polls suggest sizable numbers of undecided voters are interested in learning more about her. This debate is her chance to capitalize, give voters a reason to trust her, and maybe sway those on the fence.
However, preparation carries its own risks. Over-preparing can lead to robotic or overly calculated responses, which may backfire. There’s a sweet spot between mastering your talking points and appearing relatable. Critics of Harris fear she may fall into the trap of being overly rehearsed, losing the authenticity she needs.
Trump’s Strategy: Stick to What Works?
For Trump, the strategy seems clear—be himself. He doesn’t need to reinvent his persona. His voters know who he is, and most importantly, they like who he is. His challenge isn’t converting Democrats or gaining new supporters—it’s keeping the ones he has motivated. As long as he reinforces the image of a strong leader, confident in his policies and able to land jabs against Harris, he should fare well.
Final Thoughts
Tonight’s debate carries enormous weight, particularly for Harris. She needs to not only attack Trump but also earn the trust of undecided and skeptical voters. Without a strong showing, the narrative of her being out of touch or ill-prepared could solidify in the eyes of the public. On the flip side, a solid debate performance could give her the momentum she needs heading into the election.
Trump, on the other hand, primarily needs to maintain his base and avoid any major stumbles, while impressing upon voters that he is still the best choice for the presidency.
With seven key states and a tens of thousands of votes hanging in the balance, the outcome of tonight’s debate could be a tipping point in the race. Buckle up, because this will likely be one of the most high-stakes moments of the 2024 election cycle.
