With the November 5 election less than 60 days away, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will face off at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia at 9 p.m. ET. Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC will lead the debate, which could be the sole opportunity for the candidates to make their cases directly to voters.
The economy is expected to be a major topic of discussion tonight, particularly the high inflation rates that have plagued the country over the last few years. Other anticipated subjects include the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the border and immigration, Harris’s record as a prosecutor, the January 6 Capitol events, and Trump’s ongoing legal battles.
The importance of this debate is further intensified by recent polling from The New York Times/Siena College, which reveals that 28% of likely voters feel they still need more information about Kamala Harris, while only 9% say the same about Donald Trump. Democratic strategist Bakari Sellers has emphasized the need for Harris to make a compelling case, stating, “She needs to hit Trump hard while clearly laying out her own vision for the country.”
The debate will follow a similar format to the one used in the previous Trump-Biden debate, with no live audience and microphones muted when it is not a candidate’s turn to speak. Both candidates will be prohibited from using notes or consulting with their teams during breaks. While no opening statements will be allowed, each candidate will have under two minutes for closing remarks. Each response will be limited to two minutes, with additional time for rebuttals and clarifications.
Just two days before the debate, Harris’s campaign published an updated list of her policy priorities, focusing on the economy, individual freedoms, safety, and national security. This move followed critiques of Harris for shifting stances on key issues since her 2020 primary run, including Medicare-For-All and fracking. Senator Bernie Sanders, when asked about her changes, commented, “She’s being pragmatic and doing what she believes will help her win the election.”
Harris’s campaign initially resisted some of the agreed-upon debate rules, especially the microphone muting feature. In a letter obtained by CBS News, her team argued that this setup would put Harris at a disadvantage, stating, “The format prevents the Vice President from directly challenging Trump.” Trump, speaking at a campaign event, responded, “We agreed to the same rules. I didn’t like it last time, but it worked out fine.”
The choice to hold the debate in Pennsylvania is significant, as the state has long been considered a key battleground in presidential elections. With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is a critical swing state, having flipped from Trump in 2016 to Biden in 2020. Both campaigns recognize the importance of securing a win in the state, which could very well determine the outcome of the election.
The 90-minute debate will be aired live on ABC and streamed on multiple platforms, including ABC News Live, Disney+, Hulu, and USA TODAY’s digital channels. Given Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in the election, tonight’s debate may prove crucial for both candidates as they work to win over undecided voters in this key swing state.
