What is the US Presidential Debate? Harris Rattles Trump with her Remarks

The 2024 U.S. presidential debates are expected to focus on key issues like the economy, healthcare, and climate change, featuring candidates from both major parties. With a polarised electorate, debates will be crucial for voter engagement, highlighting contrasting views and strategies as the campaign intensifies leading up to the election.

Sep 11, 2024, 13:13 IST
US Presidential Debate 2024
US Presidential Debate 2024

As the US presidential elections approach, presidential debates between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris take place. These debates primarily focus on contentious issues such as inflation, immigration, and economic policy.

The US presidential elections take place on November 5, 2024; however, it is critical to determine who will be the best candidate. These debates enable voters to assess the candidates' positions and make an informed choice on election day.

What is the US Presidential Debate?

Every country needs a government and a system of laws to maintain order and provide services to its citizens. Some people directly vote for the candidate or indirectly vote for representatives who will make decisions on their behalf. 

Therefore, there are different forms of government, out of which three are the most common. These are presidential, parliamentary, and constitutional monarchies. 

Talking about the US, the country follows a presidential form of government where the president holds the highest authority and is both the head of state and head of government. 

Since the US presidential elections are held on November 5, 2024, Joe Biden will be up for re-election. There will be a lot of debates before the general election, as candidates from different political parties will compete for the presidency. The outcome of the election will determine the direction in which the country will be led for the next four years. 

The first general election debate occurred on June 27, 2024, featuring then-presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Following Biden's poor performance, he withdrew from the race on July 21, leading to Vice President Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic candidate.

The Second US Presidential Debate 2024

The next debate was held on September 10, 2024, and marked the first face-to-face meeting between Harris and Trump. This debate was crucial as both candidates are tightly contested in the polls, with Trump and Harris neck-and-neck in key battleground states. 

The debate was moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis from ABC News and took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the debate, topics such as inflation, immigration, and economic policy were hotly contested. 

Trump criticised the Biden administration's handling of inflation, while Harris defended her proposed tax cuts and challenged Trump's previous policies, particularly regarding trade with China and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The stakes are high for both candidates, with Harris needing to solidify her position and Trump aiming to leverage his debate experience against a relatively less-known Harris.

What to know about today’s US presidential debate?

The first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, held in June, was a disaster for the Democrats, with Trump winning due to Biden's poor articulation and an unconvincing, repetitive speech.

This time Kamala Harris has taken the spotlight and is ready to showcase her strong debating skills and present a clear, compelling vision for the future.

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris squared off in their first presidential debate on Tuesday night. 

The debate was sponsored by ABC News. It was broadcast on NBC at 9 p.m. (EST) and lasted about 90 minutes. Both candidates criticised each other heavily on issues such as the economy, abortion rights, the Israel-Gaza and Russia-Ukraine wars, immigration laws, and others. 

While Trump termed Biden-Harris "the worst president, the worst vice president in the history of our country," Harris responded: "And I do believe that the American people know we all have so much more in common than what separates us, and we can chart a new way forward."

 America got to see tonight the leader I’ve been proud to work alongside for three and a half years. Wasn’t even close. VP Harris proved she’s the best choice to lead our nation forward. We’re not going back.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 11, 2024

In response to the high-stakes presidential debate between former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, US President Joe Biden stated that he was proud of the leader with whom he had worked for three and a half years.

The next scheduled event is the vice presidential debate on October 1, 2024, which will also be significant in shaping voter perceptions ahead of the election.

Kriti Barua
Kriti Barua

Executive Content Writer

Kriti Barua is a professional content writer who has four years of experience in creating engaging and informative articles for various industries. She started her career as a creative writer intern at Wordloom Ventures and quickly developed a passion for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers.

Currently working as a content writer for the GK section of Jagran New Media, she continues to hone her skills in writing and strives to deliver high-quality content that educates and entertains readers.
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