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13 September 2024

How the Debate Will Test Harris and Trump

Brian Bennett

When Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump step onto the debate stage in Philadelphia at 9 p.m. on Tuesday night, it will mark the first time the two politicians have ever met. The evening is set to present crucial tests for both candidates in a race that polls show to be in a statistical dead heat.

For Harris, the 90-minute debate will be the first chance for many voters to hear her lay out in detail her policy ideas and see how she performs under pressure.

“She needs to fill in the blanks that voters may have,” says Kevin Madden, who was a senior advisor and spokesman for Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign. “What direction are you going to take the economy? How are you going to make me feel more safe and secure? Do you understand the problems of people like me?”

For Trump, the moment will test his ability to contain his instincts to belittle his political opponents, a trait that electrifies many of his hard-core supporters but could turn off the swing voters he needs to win.

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