Harris and Trump Prepare Intensively for Tuesday’s Debate

On September 8, presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump paused their campaign activities to prepare for an anticipated debate set to take place Tuesday in Philadelphia. This debate will mark the first occasion where the two contenders will engage directly on stage.

Recent polling indicates a tightening race with no apparent frontrunner, making the upcoming debate potentially pivotal in swaying public opinion.

During a rally in Wisconsin on Saturday, Trump criticized Harris and her vice presidential counterpart, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, while referencing the forthcoming debate. He notably recalled his previous debate with President Joe Biden, during which Biden faced significant challenges.

Trump asserted during the Wisconsin event that the nation is being governed by “stupid people,” a sentiment he claims was underscored during his debate with Biden. He rhetorically asked, “Is anybody going to be watching?” predicting that analysts would proclaim he lost the debate, regardless of the outcome. “Even if I destroy her,” he added.

While in Pittsburgh, Harris focused on her Senate preparations, with Walz delivering the keynote address at a Human Rights Campaign dinner on Saturday night. He highlighted concerns regarding the Republican Party’s position on gun control and LGBTQ+ rights.

Harris has upcoming engagements in North Carolina on Thursday and Pennsylvania on Friday.

As of now, Trump’s campaign calendar shows no public events scheduled. His running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, is set to attend a fundraiser in Los Angeles on Sunday, following his recent campaign rallies in the Phoenix area.

In a notable political endorsement, former Vice President Dick Cheney has publicly backed Harris, labeling Trump a “historic threat to our republic.” Cheney is well-known as the father of former Congressman Liz Cheney, a Republican who fell out of favor with Trump due to her refusal to endorse him. Liz Cheney has announced her intention to vote for Harris and campaign against Trump in key battleground states.

On the other hand, former President George W. Bush has decided not to endorse any candidate in the current election cycle. His office stated on Saturday that “President Bush retired from presidential politics years ago.”

Nikki Haley, who previously ran for the Republican nomination and has since endorsed Trump, expressed on CBS’s Face the Nation that she has not been asked to actively campaign for Trump and is not currently advising his campaign, but remains “on standby” should the opportunity arise.