PHILADELPHIA – The last time former President Donald Trump appeared on a debate stage, he held comfortable leads in polls in Georgia and other battleground states while fractured Democrats bickered over whether President Joe Biden should stay atop the ticket.
Then came the June 27 debate in Atlanta. Biden’s disjointed and at times incoherent performance only fueled more questions about his health and mental fitness rather than put to rest stubborn questions about his candidacy.
Less than a month later, Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, saying that his highest priority was defeating Trump in November. Democrats have unified behind Harris’ bid, largely matching the GOP loyalty to Trump.
A Quinnipiac University poll of likely Georgia voters on Monday showcased the new dynamics of the race. Trump held a narrow 49-45 lead over Harris, just outside the poll’s margin of error. Both enjoyed near-universal support from their respective parties.
Tonight’s debate represents one of the final chances this cycle for both candidates to reach millions of undecided voters – and is likely the only time the two will square off in a one-on-one debate before the November vote.
Both have prepared for the ABC News presidential debate in sharply different ways. Harris spent parts of the week holed up in a Pittsburgh hotel to ready herself for the 90-minute televised spectacle while Trump has mostly stuck to campaign-style events.
The Republican’s campaign said his unpredictable nature will keep Harris off guard. Jason Miller, his senior adviser, likened Harris’ challenge to a “boxer trying to prepare for Floyd Mayweather or Muhammad Ali.”
“You don’t know what angle they’re going to come at you with,” he told reporters Monday.
Harris hasn’t shied away from the rough-and-tumble nature of Tuesday’s event. At her Atlanta rally in August, she had a message for her GOP opponent.
“Donald, if you’ve got something to say,” Harris told supporters, “say it to my face.”
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