Democratic VP says she hopes Republican ex-president will be part of her on debate stage in October, simply weeks earlier than vote.
Kamala Harris has challenged Donald Trump to a second debate earlier than the US presidential election, saying she “will gladly settle for” to go head-to-head once more towards the previous president.
In an announcement on Saturday, Harris’s marketing campaign spokesperson Jen O’Malley mentioned the US vp had accepted CNN’s invitation to a debate on October 23.
“We look ahead to Vice President Harris once more having the chance within the CNN debate to point out her command of the problems and why it’s time to show the web page on Donald Trump and cost a brand new means ahead for America,” O’Malley mentioned.
Greater than 67 million folks tuned in to the primary Harris-Trump showdown on September 10, which noticed the 2 candidates commerce barbs on immigration, international coverage, and different points.
Most observers topped Harris the winner of that debate, as she repeatedly appeared to rattle Trump over the course of the night.
Trump didn’t instantly touch upon Saturday on the prospect of taking part in one other debate towards his Democratic rival earlier than the election on November 5.
I’ll gladly settle for a second presidential debate on October 23.
I hope @realDonaldTrump will be part of me. https://t.co/Trb8HUBsDh
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 21, 2024
On September 12, he posted on his Fact Social media platform that, “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!”
The previous Republican president went head-to-head towards Democrat Joe Biden in June. Biden’s poor efficiency towards Trump spurred questions on his age and skill to serve one other time period, and weeks later, he dropped out of the 2024 race.
CNN has mentioned the proposed October debate would mirror the format of the one in June.
“Each Vice President Harris and former President Trump obtained an invite to take part in a CNN debate this fall as we consider the American folks would profit from a second debate between the 2 candidates for President of the US,” the community mentioned in an announcement.
“We look ahead to receiving a response from each campaigns so the American public can hear extra from these candidates as they make their last resolution.”
Most polls present Trump and Harris locked in an in depth battle within the run-up to the upcoming vote, notably in battleground states that can be key to successful the White Home.
In line with a New York Occasions polling tracker, Harris on Saturday held a slim lead of 49 p.c help nationally in contrast with Trump’s 47 p.c help.
It’s not clear whether or not debates really affect presidential campaigns, with most specialists saying the affect is minimal.
Nonetheless, Elaine Kamarck and William A Galston, election specialists on the Brookings Establishment assume tank in Washington, DC, mentioned the September Harris-Trump debate appeared “more likely to put new wind in Harris’ gross sales”.
“Whether or not will probably be sufficient to propel her to victory within the Electoral School stays to be seen. However her marketing campaign and supporters go away the controversy with renewed vitality and hope,” they wrote.
“Against this, the Trump marketing campaign should reckon with the chance that their candidate’s efficiency happy his base with out rallying many new supporters to his facet.”
