Former President Donald Trump is hesitant about participating in a second debate with Kamala Harris after their first debate did not go well for him. The aftermath of the debate saw both campaigns evaluating the impact of the critical clash that was witnessed by over 60 million viewers. Trump’s team is facing scrutiny similar to what Joe Biden’s campaign experienced after a poor debate performance. Harris is looking to appeal to swing state voters by highlighting the chaos of the Trump era.
Harris has been receiving positive feedback following the debate, with Democrats viewing her as a strong political figure who is gaining more confidence with each challenge she faces. Her campaign also received a boost from an endorsement by Taylor Swift, which could attract more interest from the pop star’s fanbase. Allies of Harris are continuing to mock and provoke Trump, carrying over a theme that emerged at the Democratic National Convention and during the debate itself.
After the debate, there was a moment of unity as Harris and Trump, along with Biden and JD Vance, honored the anniversary of the September 11 attacks at Ground Zero in New York. However, the bitter fallout from the debate continued, with Trump denying that he performed poorly and accusing ABC News of rigging the debate against him. Trump’s complaints resonated with his conservative base, but he still faced criticism for his lackluster performance compared to Harris.
History suggests that the full impact of the debate may take time to influence the electorate, and the fundamentals of the race still favor Trump. Trump’s campaign is targeting Harris on various issues, including the economy, while trying to reshape the narrative of the debate. Harris, on the other hand, faces pressure to deliver more substance and address key questions, especially regarding policy details, as some undecided voters are looking for more specifics.
The Harris campaign remains cautious as they view the election as a close contest, and they are aware of the need to maintain momentum even when things seem positive. Harris will need to navigate decisions about future debates and address criticisms about lacking policy specifics. Meanwhile, Trump’s lack of focus and performance in the debate may have caused missed opportunities to exploit Harris’s vulnerabilities in front of a large audience, leading to fresh challenges for his campaign.
