"Key Points to Watch in the Harris-Trump Presidential Debate"
1. Harris leads in majority of polls as Trump to get a chance to try and blunt some of her momentum
**WASHINGTON**: Next week, Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump will face off in their first televised debate, a crucial showdown that could sway voters in the final stretch leading up to Election Day.
For Harris, the debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday offers a chance to highlight her priorities and demonstrate her resilience against a rival who has previously undermined her intelligence and faced accusations of racism and sexism.
Trump aims to counter Harris’s momentum, as the race has tightened since her nomination in July. Although many polls show Harris slightly ahead nationally and in key battleground states, Trump remains a significant contender for the November 5 election.
Debates can be highly influential, and this might be their only encounter. President Joe Biden dropped out of the race following a weak performance in June, and despite Clinton’s perceived victories in her 2016 debates with Trump, he ultimately won the election.
**What to Watch For:**
**Change Candidates**
In a race featuring a former president against the current vice president, both candidates are casting themselves as agents of change. Harris aims to leverage the Biden administration’s achievements while positioning her presidency as a new beginning for the country. Meanwhile, Trump, despite his previous presidency, is presenting himself as an outsider challenging Washington’s status quo. He will likely emphasize his global experience, promising to resolve conflicts and address threats from nations like North Korea and Iran.
**Personal Attacks**
Since her nomination, Trump has questioned Harris's heritage and launched personal attacks, a strategy he used against previous opponents. If he continues this approach during the debate, he risks alienating undecided voters who may question his presidential demeanor. Trump's past debates have been marked by interruptions and personal jabs, a tactic that could backfire if Harris maintains her composure and avoids being drawn into a personal battle.
**Opportunities for Harris**
The debate is a pivotal moment for Harris to define her political identity to a broad audience. With less name recognition compared to her Democratic predecessors, she has an opportunity to distinguish herself. As a former California attorney general, Harris might use her legal expertise to challenge Trump on issues such as his actions post-2020 election, including the January 6 Capitol attack. Her courtroom experience could enable her to effectively address Trump’s false claims in real time.
