WASHINGTON ― The 2024 presidential election’s history will reflect on a singular debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump as a pivotal moment that altered the race’s trajectory.

Following Biden’s unfortunate debate performance, he decided to withdraw, leading Kamala Harris to take on the role of the Democratic nominee.

This week, the second debate will feature Harris facing Trump. Polls indicate a tight race, intensifying the importance of this event as Election Day approaches in two months.

The debate on Tuesday in Philadelphia offers Harris a chance to demonstrate her ability to confront Trump and connect with voters who might not know much about her. For Trump, it represents an opportunity to frame Harris in his favor and reclaim some momentum he lost after the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

In such a close race, a formidable debate performance could provide a decisive advantage to either candidate heading into the campaign’s final phase. However, experts caution that this debate is unlikely to have the same game-changing effects as the earlier Biden-Trump match on June 27.

“Nothing as dramatic will occur again,” noted David Greenberg, a history professor at Rutgers University with expertise in presidential debates.

While not many presidential debates significantly influence the race, their importance shouldn’t be underestimated, experts added.

Despite being Biden’s vice president for almost four years, Harris remains unfamiliar to many voters. Those who missed her impactful speech at the Democratic convention may tune in during the debate to learn more about her. This is also true for undecided voters still gathering information to aid their decision-making.

According to Alan Schroeder, an author on presidential debates, Harris “is currently on an upward trajectory – she seems to be in a favorable position.” He added, “The key question is whether she can sustain this momentum or will it turn out to be fleeting? This debate is an opportunity for her to showcase who she is, even in a potentially challenging context.”

Considering the limited time Harris has to present her case, this upcoming debate could have more significance than a standard presidential debate, stated Dustin Carnahan, an associate professor at Michigan State University who studies political engagement.

Harris took over the campaign just four months before the election after Biden’s withdrawal. Since then, “the Harris campaign has been actively involved in numerous events, gaining favorable media coverage, and the party has rallied behind her,” Carnahan highlighted. “This debate might signify the end of her initial grace period.”

“For the Harris campaign, it’s vital to persuade voters and address policy questions where she has already faced some criticism,” Carnahan emphasized. “What actions will she take if elected? The debate will be a crucial chance for her to provide those answers.”

As for Trump, voters are already familiar with the Republican nominee and have come to anticipate his unpredictable conduct. Although he has navigated through Republican primary debates with ease, he has struggled against Democratic opponents during general election debates.

Schroeder pointed out that Trump did not perform well in his three debates with Hillary Clinton in 2016. Instead, he won against Biden more due to Biden’s inconsistent performance than any strong display by Trump. He noted that, “Trump’s challenge lies in moderating his behavior and avoiding disrespect toward a female or non-white opponent,” given his past discomfort in handling such topics.

Every once in a while, a presidential debate can significantly influence the election outcomes.

A prime example is the inaugural televised debate held in 1960 between Democrat John F. Kennedy and Republican Richard Nixon. The youthful and charismatic Kennedy, who was only 43 at that time, utilized makeup and exuded energy to the television viewers. In contrast, Nixon, slightly older at 47, opted out of makeup, perspired heavily under the intense studio lights, and appeared fatigued.

Television audiences believed Kennedy prevailed, whereas radio listeners leaned towards Nixon. Ultimately, Kennedy narrowly won the presidency in a historically close election, later admitting that the debate likely played a decisive role in his victory.

Fast forward sixteen years to 1976: Republican President Gerald Ford’s campaign took a major hit when he claimed during his debate with Democrat Jimmy Carter that there was no Soviet control over Eastern Europe. While analysts suggest he might have lost regardless, this blunder confirmed public perceptions of him as out of touch, leading to his inability to recover from the blunder.

In 1980, Republican Ronald Reagan turned the tide with his only debate against Carter, where he effectively dispelled notions of him being a warmonger by presenting himself as friendly and advocating for peace. One of the most iconic lines from a presidential debate emerged when Reagan tapped into the audience’s anxieties over rising inflation by asking, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

In the ensuing election, Reagan decisively defeated Carter, winning only six states plus the District of Columbia.

“The (debate) made a significant impact on many Americans,” noted Greenberg.

Looking back, then-Vice President Al Gore was seen as the stronger debater during the 2000 elections. However, his loud sighs, eye rolls, and head shakes in a debate with Texas Governor George W. Bush negatively impacted voters’ perceptions, erasing his slight lead and leading to his narrow loss, which ultimately hinged on a Supreme Court decision.

Fast forward to 2011, when then-Texas Governor Rick Perry severely harmed his campaign during a debate when he famously forgot one of the three government departments he had promised to eliminate if elected. He shortly withdrew from the race afterward.

However, no debate has had as devastating an effect on a candidate as the matchup between Biden and Trump last June.

“The entire race was fundamentally altered due to Biden’s performance,” remarked Carnahan.

Biden not only failed to quell doubts regarding his physical and mental fitness for a second term but also exacerbated concerns among voters, including those within his party, about his capacity to navigate the 2024 election cycle,” Carnahan stated.

“We might not see something like that happen again,” he added.

Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on X @mcollinsNEWS.