The upcoming debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in Philadelphia on Tuesday represents a significant challenge and chance within a presidential campaign already highlighted by debates.

Democrats and progressive groups are acutely aware of what’s at stake following a previous confrontation that led to weeks of division within the party, ultimately prompting President Joe Biden’s surprising withdrawal from the race at the age of 81.

Many are keen to see Harris, celebrated for her experience and background as a prosecutor, confront her Republican challenger about his history of criminal allegations while also addressing important national issues for a wide audience.

“The events of June have shown us just how crucial debates remain in presidential elections,” noted Christina Harvey, executive director of Stand Up America, a group focused on voting rights with a liberal perspective.

“This debate will be crucial since these candidates offer vastly different visions for the future of America,” she remarked.

Jim Gilmore, a former governor of Virginia who previously competed for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, emphasized that the upcoming debate is “very important” for both candidates. However, he noted that it will be particularly revealing how the Democratic nominee handles the scrutiny.

“People know almost nothing about Harris,” Gilmore stated regarding the 59-year-old vice president, who has previously run for the presidency while serving as a senator from California. “This debate presents a chance for her to introduce herself to the audience for the very first time; few know much about her.”

Let’s explore what both candidates should highlight and avoid during the debate, and how it could potentially influence voters.

In a Tight Race, Every Detail Counts

This debate occurs at a pivotal point in a race narrowly focused on a small group of voters.

Around 90% of likely voters report their choices are “firmly established,” according to a recent YSL News/Suffolk Poll. This poll indicated that only 8% of those surveyed might consider changing their minds, with approximately 1% remaining undecided.

“In a closely contested election, every aspect is significant,” remarked Marc Trussler, director of data science at the University of Pennsylvania’s opinion research and election studies program.

Debates usually don’t have a major impact on voters who are already aligned with a party, who represent the primary audience for Tuesday’s debate. Yet, even a small fraction of voters who have doubts about both candidates could be influenced by what they hear during this debate.

“There is some room for persuasion,” Trussler noted. “More importantly, this debate serves as a chance for the candidates to rally their supporters, which has been a challenge for the Democratic campaign, but is showing improvement since Harris became the nominee.”

‘Can I Call You, Joe?’: Anticipating Harris and Trump’s Dynamics

The rules for this debate remain unchanged from June’s debate: there will be no live audience, no props allowed, and (against the Harris campaign’s wishes) microphones will be muted when the other candidate speaks.

Speaking of the upcoming political debate What was once anticipated as a rematch between two candidates who have sparred for over four years is now a rapid eight-week race between two individuals who haven’t met face-to-face. During Trump’s presidency, he and Harris did not interact during his State of the Union addresses, and he skipped her inauguration as Vice President, refusing to acknowledge the results of the 2020 election.

Liz Mair, a Republican consultant and former spokesperson for John McCain’s 2008 campaign, noted that their lack of prior interactions could influence the debate. She highlighted that the last time a national debate occurred between candidates who were unfamiliar with each other was when Sarah Palin, then Alaska’s governor, debated Joe Biden, who was serving as a Senator from Delaware, during their vice-presidential campaigns.

At the beginning of that debate in St. Louis, Palin asked Biden: “Can I call you, Joe?” This was mainly because she had difficulty pronouncing his last name during her earlier preparations. “And that made a significant difference,” Mair explained to YSL News.

Political analysts will closely observe their interactions right from the start, focusing on how they react to each other’s criticisms as well as the moderators’ questions.

Mair, who has coached GOP candidates for debates, plans to watch how Trump engages with Harris. She noted that Harris is the second woman to be a major party’s presidential nominee, following Hillary Clinton’s 2016 nomination against Trump.

“It’s often challenging for male candidates to project strength and authority without coming across as sexist, condescending, or patronizing,” she pointed out. “The fact that they haven’t met before could exacerbate this issue.”

Trump’s Challenge: Deflating Harris’ Momentum

Trump and his team face a clear objective: to puncture Harris’ rising popularity without alienating moderate voters who are just as concerned about Trump’s character as they are about his policies.

Historically, the GOP nominee has been known for introducing unexpected guests during debates and delivering clever jabs, but Trump’s advisors are cautioning him against these antics. Instead, they suggest he focus on conservative issues and critique her liberal positions instead of resorting to personal attacks.

“If Trump concentrates on the issues and stays focused – which can include calling out Harris for being inconsistent – that’s acceptable,” said Gilmore. “But he should also highlight, ‘We might not know what she plans, but this is what I intend to do.’ Sticking to the issues will serve him well.”

However, Trump is not always the most controlled communicator and tends to get sidetracked or indulge in personal insults, which have included questioning Harris’ ethnic background. At an event in Asheboro, North Carolina, he mentioned that people often advise him to be more pleasant but added, “Sometimes it’s tough when attacks come from every side.”

Harris Also Faces Risks in the Debate

The debate presents greater risks for Harris, as she is still in the process of introducing herself to many voters who may not fully understand her positions or what her presidency would entail.

Reports indicate that Harris is strategizing on how to provoke Trump by highlighting his numerous false claims while aiming for a social media moment that could capture public attention.

However, debate analysts underscore that Harris, still relatively unknown compared to Trump, faces significant consequences if a misstep damages the momentum her campaign has recently gained.

“For her, the risk lies in the fact that many Americans don’t yet know her well, and a poor showing could diminish the optimism she has recently instilled in Democrats,” said Robert Rowland, a communication studies professor at the University of Kansas.

Since securing the Democratic nomination, Harris has participated in only one in-depth interview and has faced criticism for her limited number of policy-focused speeches. Independent voters are especially eager for more substantive information.

Issues such as hydraulic fracturing, which is crucial in battleground states like Pennsylvania, could pose challenges for Harris. In 2019, she called for a ban on fracking while running for president, yet later indicated to CNN that climate change could be addressed without prohibiting the practice.

The debate will reveal how much time Harris dedicates to engaging with Trump versus directly communicating her plans to voters.

‘A pivotal choice’: Biden’s legacy will be as significant as the issues at hand

Although President Biden will not participate in the upcoming debate, he is expected to be a central topic of discussion for various reasons.

Republicans will likely try to position Harris as the true incumbent, linking her to every controversial decision or negative outcome from the past four years.

For instance, Trump has consistently highlighted the failed 2021 evacuation that concluded the Afghanistan war, which led to the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemen. He has shared videos online featuring the families of those soldiers expressing their blame towards Harris for the tragic events.

Additionally, Trump’s campaign is showcasing the rising prices of groceries alongside clips of Harris asserting that “Bidenomics is working.” This, combined with her involvement in addressing the root issues at the southern border and her understanding of Biden’s capabilities, may all be pointed out against Harris during the debate.

A recent YSL News/Suffolk Poll indicates that only 31% of Americans believe the country is headed in the right direction, while 58% think it is on the wrong path.

As Harris aims to navigate the complexities of incumbency, she may focus on supporting her boss, who has seen an uptick in approval since his decision to withdraw from the race.

The YSL News/Suffolk survey reveals that around 84% of voters agree with Biden’s choice to bow out, and 48% of respondents favor his performance compared to 41% who felt this way in late June.

Other polling agencies show Biden’s ratings relatively stable, yet any positive shift is advantageous for Harris as Democrats and their supporters celebrate the president’s choice.

“Harris should focus on challenging Trump rather than Biden, who has accomplished a lot during his presidency,” stated Harvey, a leader in voting rights.

Harvey believes that instead of just defending, Harris could take an assertive approach on Tuesday by reminding voters of the numerous controversies and decisions from the Trump administration. She highlighted that the next president may have the power to make multiple appointments to the Supreme Court in the upcoming term.

By the end of January, four of the nine justices will be in their 70s, a fact that progressive advocates view as critical due to the court’s current 6-3 conservative majority.

“They could retire, face health complications, or pass away,” Harvey remarked. “If Trump were to be reelected, he could ensure that the court remains under MAGA influence for years, profoundly affecting topics such as abortion rights, voting access, and gun safety.”

‘The prosecutor vs. the felon’ (or the former reality star)

Democrats were frustrated by Biden’s missed chance to effectively challenge Trump during the June 27 debate, where he could have clearly articulated his stance against him on a national platform.

In light of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his numerous legal troubles, Harris is expected by her supporters to hold Trump accountable for his political and personal record during the upcoming debate.

The Harris campaign relishes labeling this election as a “prosecutor vs. felon” matchup. However, a debate stage doesn’t resemble a courtroom, and Trump, being a former reality TV star, has significant experience, marking this as his seventh presidential debate when including his earlier campaigns in 2016 and 2020.

Debate could achieve record viewership

The recent dynamics of Biden stepping back, Harris stepping in, and Trump’s flair have created a campaign atmosphere that feels almost cinematic. This situation, combined with the actual impacts on society, might lead to the highest viewership for a presidential debate in U.S. history.

The record for the most viewers is currently held by the 2016 debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton, which attracted around 84 million viewers during their initial debate.

Other significant debates include the 1980 debate between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, with approximately 80 million viewers, and the first 2020 debate between Biden and Trump, which was watched by about 73 million during the pandemic.

ABC News will be the host for the upcoming event, but if you factor in additional platforms and streaming services, this debate could set new records.