LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Tonight will be the first time Vice President Harris and Former President Trump meet. The debate will give voters a chance to see the stark contrast between the two campaigns on the same stage.
Presidential debates tend to be the most engaging part of the campaign for voters, giving them a chance to learn about policy issues and see how their candidates perform. Especially with just over a month since the Harris Walz ticket was announced, the Chair of Michigan’s Democratic Party Lavora Barnes said days like today are important.
“Many people will tune in and get to hear her for the first time and get to hear her answer questions and talk about the policies that she’s going to put forth when she’s President of the United States, and also hear her talk about who Donald Trump is,” Barnes said. “As folks see these two stand on this stage, they will see a sharp contrast between the intelligent, smart, joyful woman who is Kamala Harris and the former president who is full of hate and will probably say some ridiculously crazy things and tell lies. I think that’s an important contrast for people to see and they’re going to see it in full relief today.”
The debate will also be an important time for Harris to differentiate herself from Biden, set her own agenda, and answer the questions sometimes posed by Republicans that pin actions of the last 3 and a half years on her.
Former Michigan Governor James Blanchard said he’s been working presidential campaigns since the 50s, and that he’s feeling hopeful the closer we get to November.
“One of the problems is when you’re vice president, people don’t really know much about you. Vice President Harris is still introducing herself to the American people. It’s a great positive impression that she left after the convention and other speeches, but she’s still got 2 challenges: Let the people continue to get to know her, and then talk about the future and what the new generation that is Harris and Walz will bring to America.” Blanchard said. “I think it’ll be really exciting for the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan. I think particularly with Tim Waz being from Minnesota, I think it’s gonna be good for our voters from one end of the UP to the other.”
It’s also a new venue for Harris to face off against her opponent for the first time, and a second chance for Trump, taking on a different opponent this time around.
Republican Representative Bryan Posthumus is also the Policy Chairman for the Michigan House Republican Campaign Committee. He said for Republicans, this will be a chance for Trump to show voters exactly who Kamala Harris is.
“I’m expecting President Trump to really hammer home the fact that it’s still the same Kamala Harris who has served in the administration for the last 3 1/2 years that served in the Senate for a long time, and she’s still that same progressive far-left Democrat,” Posthumus said. “People are really hoping that he’s going to have his message disciplined. He did a very good job of staying on message last time and if he stays on point and stays on message, ensuring people remember where Kamala Harris has stood on policies for the last 20 years, I think he’ll be in a very good position.”
Taking the stage tonight, the two candidates will be doing their best to continue to tip the polls in their favor, with less than 60 days until the election.
