Policy vs. Personality: The Trump-Harris Debate

Tonight, Kamala Harris faces Donald Trump in a debate that could be a turning point for the election. The stakes are high for both. Harris, the Democratic nominee, needs to show the world she’s ready to lead the country. Trump, on the other hand, wants to stop her momentum and regain the advantage.

One thing’s for sure—Trump is known for throwing insults and making personal attacks during debates. Harris is preparing for exactly that. His recent rallies have given us a clue about what he might say. He’s called her “nasty,” questioned her identity, and insulted her intelligence. But this time, when it’s not his turn to speak, his mic will be off. That means the public might not hear everything he says. Harris’ team thinks this could actually work in her favor, as it would show Trump’s inability to stay composed.

To prepare, Harris has been speaking with people who’ve gone through similar situations—President Biden and Hillary Clinton. Both have been on the receiving end of Trump’s attacks. Clinton, in particular, offered Harris advice, reminding her how she once caused Trump to lose control during a 2016 debate by calling him out. Harris could use a similar strategy tonight.

But it’s not just about the insults. Voters are waiting to hear where the candidates stand on big issues. For Harris, two key topics are the cost of living and reproductive rights. Her stance on reproductive rights is clear and popular, which could win over many voters. On the economy, she’ll need to convince people that her plan is better than Trump’s, who often criticizes her for inflation and rising costs.

Trump, meanwhile, is likely to face tough questions on abortion, especially after his role in appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. His responses so far have been unclear, and tonight’s debate could force him to give voters the answers they want.

For Harris, tonight is the moment to show America that she’s not only ready to take on Trump, but also ready to lead the country.

Subha KS- Staff Reporter