Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are taking two different paths in preparation for the Sept. 10 presidential debate, the first time the nominees will face off since Democrats revamped their ticket.
The week leading up to the debate, which will be broadcast by ABC News in Philadelphia, represents the candidates’ last chance to set their agenda before they meet. It could also offer a preview of what attacks the two will launch against each other.
Since President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed his running mate more than five weeks ago, Trump has struggled to deliver a message that will slow Harris’s momentum. The former president has tried personal attacks and name-calling, criticized the lack of news conferences and new interviews, blamed the Biden administration’s policies for inflation and high costs, and criticized Harris and Biden for the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan that left 13 U.S. service members dead.
Meanwhile, Harris has focused on moderating many of the positions she laid out during her 2019 Democratic presidential primary campaign. In an interview to CNN Last week, the first since becoming the Democratic candidate, she argued that her values have remained the same, even as her stance on issues such as fracking techniques for hydrocarbon exploration has changed.
Harris also plans to give a speech in New Hampshire on Wednesday (4) to unveil the next installment of her economic plan, according to three aides.
THE CNN The White House previously reported that Harris would unveil her proposals in a series of releases, with the next one focused on innovation, entrepreneurship and small business. Harris told a small business owner in Georgia last week that one of her top priorities would be to establish a tax credit to help Americans start and grow businesses.
But for much of this week, Harris will be taking a step back from the run-up to the debate, having spent Monday (2) campaigning in so-called Blue Wall states with labor leaders. Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, campaigned in Wisconsin, while Harris held a solo event in Michigan and Biden joined a rally in Pittsburgh, the first time the president has campaigned with Harris since ending his reelection bid.
Biden is poised to emerge as Harris’s top backer in the final two months of the campaign and will hold events in key states later this week.
Meanwhile, Trump is ramping up his appearances after skipping the Labor Day campaign trail. The former president will virtually headline the Jewish Republican Coalition’s annual Leadership Summit in Las Vegas on Wednesday and will deliver a speech at the Economic Club of New York on Thursday (5) before holding a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, on Saturday (7).
The former president tried to make his economic proposals a reality last month. At a rally in Asheville, North Carolina, billed as an economic policy speech, Trump said he would impose tariffs on other countries and sign an executive order directing agencies to combat inflation on the first day of a second term.
Harris also sought to flesh out her policy platform, striking a balance between building on the Biden administration’s accomplishments and setting her own priorities.
She said during an economic speech last month that she would prioritize combating price gouging, reducing food costs, cutting taxes for the middle class, reducing the burden of medical debt and prescription drug costs, and making it more affordable to own and rent a home.
“As president, I will be focused on creating opportunities for the middle class that promote their economic security, stability and dignity,” she said in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Next week’s debate will come after weeks of back-and-forth between the two campaigns over the event’s schedule and rules.
During the debate, candidates will have their microphones muted when it is not their turn to speak. Harris’ campaign has rejected the rule, while the former president and his campaign have offered mixed messages about their position.
In addition to the ABC News debate initially agreed to by Trump and Biden, the former president agreed to participate in a Fox News debate on Sept. 4. After Harris declined the event, the former president said he would hold a town hall with the network hosted by Sean Hannity.
US Elections: What is voluntary voting and why is it adopted?
This content was originally published in Harris and Trump take different approaches as debate approaches on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
