As the U.S. presidential race intensifies, recent polls indicate a tight contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris just two days before their first—and potentially only—televised debate. A New York Times/Siena poll shows Trump leading Harris nationally by a narrow margin of 48% to 47%, which falls within the margin of error, highlighting the competitive nature of the race.
Despite Trump’s historical status as a convicted felon and his controversial efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, he continues to enjoy solid support from approximately half of the electorate. Harris, who entered the race after President Biden’s withdrawal in July, has quickly emerged as a serious contender, although she has yet to achieve a significant breakthrough in polling.
The dynamics of the election are further complicated by the fact that presidential elections in the U.S. are determined by state-by-state contests rather than a nationwide popular vote. In key battleground states, Harris holds a slight edge in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, while being tied in critical states such as Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona.
A CBS News/YouGov poll corroborates these findings, showing Harris ahead by one percentage point in Michigan and Wisconsin, and tied in Pennsylvania. The election landscape has become chaotic, with Biden’s exit from the race due to age concerns, Trump narrowly escaping an assassination attempt, and growing apprehension about Trump’s potential refusal to concede if he loses.
The upcoming ABC News debate is seen as a pivotal moment for both candidates. Trump will need to temper his usual confrontational style while standing alongside Harris, who is vying to become the first female president in U.S. history. Harris, in turn, must leverage the debate’s viewership to connect with voters in a way she has struggled to do as vice president.
Harris has been criticized for her campaign’s focus on vague optimism and unity rather than concrete policy proposals. In response to mounting pressure, her campaign released a policy outline addressing issues such as labor unions, cost-of-living concerns, and healthcare.
As the debate approaches, Harris faces the challenge of countering Trump’s tendency to make misleading statements and provoke his opponents. Trump has subjected Harris to derogatory remarks, including mispronouncing her name and labeling her with various insults.
Following the debate, Harris’s campaign plans to engage actively in battleground states, starting with North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Trump held a rally in Wisconsin, where he delivered a dark speech aimed at his predominantly white, working-class base, claiming he is fighting against a “rogue regime” and threatening to impose “long prison sentences” on those he accuses of planning to “cheat” in the upcoming election.
As the race continues to unfold, both candidates will be looking to solidify their bases and sway undecided voters in the critical weeks leading up to the election.
