Election 2024 live updates: Harris and Walz to barnstorm in Georgia; Vance to give remarks in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
NBCAUG 13 2024
According to a national survey by the New York Times and Siena College, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are deadlocked less than two months before election day, making Tuesday's presidential debate crucial.
A day before the televised debate in Pittsburg, Trump leads Harris by one point, 48% to 47%. The poll ran from September 3 to 6.
Since entering the campaign after President Biden stepped down in July, Harris has swiftly transformed into a serious contender from the relative unknown. However, the polls suggest she hasn’t made a breakthrough, making the race an even contest.
Without a clear frontrunner in the polls, Tuesday's debate in Pittsburgh will likely be crucial for many voters. The electoral college favors the Republican ticket, so every vote matters. Kamala Harris must emphasize her accomplishments and outline her plans for the future. She needs to show the public that she is strong and capable, challenge Trump to speak out of turn, and let him ruin it for himself. The muted microphone is an unfortunate drawback for this tactic.
Tuesday's debate will be Trump's seventh general election debate appearance, more than any other contender in US history. He has prior experience and knows that his base will always support him. Trump's debate style is unpredictable, and he has the ability to surprise and confuse his opponents, making him a formidable opponent. However, to secure victory in the November election, he must expand his appeal beyond his most loyal supporters, as he lost the national popular vote in both 2016 and 2020.