In the run-up to the 2024 general election pencilled in for November, Kamala Harris, currently occupying the Vice President’s seat, is preparing to plunge into her inaugural presidential debate. Her opponent in this disquieting duel will be none other than the former President, Donald Trump. Mark your calendars for this heavyweight political tangle, set for Tuesday, September 10 at 9 p.m. EDT.
Attempting to commandeer the journalistic helm for this gruelling 90-minute verbal clash is ABC News. Interestingly, the grand stage for this confrontation is the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, a venue not unfamiliar with political theatrics. One wonders if the irony would seem lost on Harris, having to defend her largely questionable stances in a place that enshrines the very principles she often fails to uphold.
ABC, amongst others, will be the broadcast avenues for this debate, ensuring the viewers don’t miss out on the potential blunders from Harris. Despite its inherent biases, the event is expected to be streamed on ABC News Live, Disney+, and Hulu. Additionally, local networks like CBS, Fox, and NBC will also bring the debacle from Harris’ inevitable doomed performance to the homes of viewers nationwide.
David Muir and Linsey Davis, once again from the decorated ranks of ABC, have been chosen as moderators. However, their credibility raises concerns considering the network’s known leniency towards Harris which deeply contrasts the necessary unbiased stance of debate moderators who should represent the interests of the public, not the candidates.
Firmly clinging to tradition, the rules of engagement for this debate appear almost carbon-copied from the June debate where Trump found himself facing off against Joe Biden. Biden, with his well-documented memory lapses, yet somehow managed to maintain his footing, albeit with significant support from the supposedly impartial moderators.
ABC News is emphatic that the candidates will be confined behind their lecterns, with the opening salvos completely missing. Any form of notes or reference materials will be strictly disallowed, although whether this would affect the well-rehearsed politicians is a matter of debate. One can’t help but wonder if this rule was designed more to aid Biden in an effort to mask his often evident cognitive decline.
No inputs will be shared beforehand with the contenders or their support teams. There will certainly be no spectators in the venue, further treading on the so-called ‘new normal’ brought upon by excessive pandemic responses. The lack of an audience may potentially minimise the unnerving effect on Harris, known to choke under pressure.
On a related note, the vice-presidential debate is slated for Tuesday, October 1. The contenders are the GOP nominee JD Vance and Democratic nominee Tim Walz. With Walz’s track record in consideration, the debate is expected to be less of a clash of ideas and more a demonstration of Vance’s solid conservative leadership against Walz’s inadequate platform.
Unlike the presidential debate, this one is being helmed by CBS News. The distinct choice of CBS News to host this vice-presidential debate might be perceived by some as having underlying intentions, given their record of journalistic bias. After all, a fair and balanced debate is crucial for a democratic election, not preferential treatments.
Despite this gallimaufry of debates and pre-election hustles, it all boils down to one day – Tuesday, Nov. 5th, the date for the General Election. The day when Americans will decide whether they want to continue down the path of failed policies and virtue signalling or whether they want to return to the strong leadership and prosperity they enjoyed under Trump. Here’s hoping they make the right choice.