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Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will meet for their first, and likely only, televised debate, on Tuesday. Because of the cascade of events set off by the late June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, Tuesday evening’s meeting has heightened importance.
In that June debate, Biden was seen as confused, doddering and not fit for another term as president. He dropped out of the race less than a month later, passing the baton to Harris, who was officially nominated by the Democratic Party last month.
On Tuesday, Trump, who is prone to hurling insults and telling lies, won’t face an octogenarian statesman who he can bait into debates about golf handicaps. Rather, he’ll share the stage with a former U.S. senator and prosecutor known for her sharp questions.
His insults about Harris’ laugh and race, which may play well at his rallies full of supporters, will likely fall flat during a debate. So, a large question for many viewers is whether Trump can temper his behavior and remarks to match the occasion. We shouldn’t have to point out that this shouldn’t even be a question for someone seeking the highest office in America.
The stakes are particularly high for Harris, who despite being vice president for nearly four years isn’t really well known by many Americans. She has the difficult job of introducing herself to many Americans, laying out her agenda and fending off attacks and insults from Trump.
She should also explain why she has changed her mind on a number of policies, including some related to energy production and border security.
While the drama and verbal back-and-forth of Tuesday’s debate is likely to get most of the attention, the substance of what Harris and Trump say matters most. Although it may be in short supply, viewers should focus on those instances where specific policy details are discussed.
What are the candidates’ plans for reducing health care costs? How would they change America’s energy production and consumption mix? What are the environmental consequences of those changes? How would they change America’s immigration system?
Americans need to hear Harris’ and Trump’s specific plan in these and many other areas.
Who has details? Who can talk realistically about the costs and economic impacts of their plans? And who is clear about how America will bear those costs?
Viewers are likely to hear lots of platitudes, promises, false claims and attacks. But they should also expect candidates to explain and answer questions about the details of those promises and claims. If they can’t, or refuse to, that can be as telling as detailed answers.
We don’t expect Tuesday’s debate to set off an avalanche of unforeseen consequences, like the debate between Trump and Biden in June did. Nor do we have much hope that detailed policy proposals will actually materialize Tuesday night. But the debate, and the demeanor, behavior and responses of Harris and Trump could shed light on which candidate is best qualified to lead America for the next four years.