WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris has often called out her opponent’s apparent hesitation to debate, challenging Donald Trump’s criticisms with a straightforward message: “If you have something to say, say it to my face.”
Initially backing out of a debate agreement, Trump has now committed to meeting Harris on September 10 for an ABC-hosted event. This sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown between the Democratic and Republican nominees, giving both candidates the opportunity to directly confront each other.
For Harris, sharing a stage with Trump represents a pivotal moment to define both herself and her opponent amidst a condensed campaign period with numerous questions surrounding her policy stances. However, it also poses a significant challenge, echoing a scenario where President Joe Biden struggled enough to end his own campaign, clearing the way for Harris.
“She’s certainly had a strong rollout in recent weeks, which will naturally set high expectations for her performance on the debate stage,” noted Aaron Kall, director of the University of Michigan’s debate program. “One issue is that President Biden's poor showing in his first debate means Harris can hardly perform worse, and that comparison might not be helpful. However, her debate record is somewhat mixed.”
Trump also faces significant expectations. Biden’s poor performance in the debate helped overshadow Trump’s numerous false statements — from misrepresentations about the Jan. 6 riot to misleading assertions about abortion and immigration — that went largely unchallenged.
Two key moments from Harris’ Democratic primary campaign shed light on her debating style. One notable instance was when she challenged then-candidate Biden over his past opposition to busing for school desegregation. Harris famously shared a personal story, saying, “That little girl was me,” to underscore her point.
The moment was both impactful and strategically planned. Harris’ campaign capitalized on it by sharing the same message on social media, featuring a photo of Harris as a young girl with pigtails.
However, a significant low point in Harris’ campaign occurred at a later debate when former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii launched a pointed attack on Harris’ record as a prosecutor. Gabbard criticized Harris for jailing over 1,500 people for marijuana offenses and for laughing when asked about her own marijuana use. The audience reacted strongly as Gabbard also accused Harris of blocking evidence that could have exonerated an innocent man on death row until ordered to release it by the courts.
Gabbard later expressed frustration that Harris’ record was not more thoroughly examined during the primary. She revealed that she discovered these issues not through opposition research, but by simply using Google.
Gabbard remarked, “It’s ultimately disrespectful to voters if she’s not responding to or addressing questions about a record she claims to be proud of.”
During the debate, Harris tried to brush off Gabbard’s criticisms, asserting, “I am proud of choosing to do more than just give fancy speeches or make legislative comments. I’ve done the actual work.”
Post-debate, Harris took a more personal approach, referring to herself as a “top-tier candidate” and suggesting that Gabbard’s polling numbers were very low. In a later debate, Harris further criticized Gabbard, accusing her of spending years on Fox News attacking President Obama.
Ironically, while Gabbard, a Fox News contributor, remained in the race for a longer period, Harris had exited the presidential campaign.
Harris can exhibit defiance during confrontational moments, which can be effective.
She first gained national attention for her sharp questioning of Trump’s nominees, Attorney General William Barr and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. When Kavanaugh evaded questions about abortion, Harris pressed him to identify “any laws that give the government the power to make decisions about the male body?” Kavanaugh could only respond, “I am not thinking of any right now.”
Aaron Kall from the University of Michigan noted that Harris’ 2020 debate performance against Republican Vice President Mike Pence was also well-received. One of her standout moments was firmly asserting herself with, “Mr. Vice President, I am speaking,” in response to Pence’s interruptions.
Harris used a similar line when protesters criticized the Biden administration's stance on Israel's conflict with Hamas during a recent rally near Detroit’s airport. Initially, she responded with patience, stating, “I am here because I believe in democracy, and everyone’s voice matters.”
However, she quickly asserted, “I am speaking now,” which garnered strong applause from the crowd. She added, “If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.”
The group “Abandon Biden,” which opposed the president’s reelection bid due to his policies on Israel, criticized Harris for her “disdain for citizens pleading for an end to genocide.”
Cullen Tiernan, former spokesperson for Gabbard’s 2020 campaign, noted similarities between Harris’ debate reactions and her handling of interruptions in Michigan, but he viewed them negatively. Now a political director for a labor union, Tiernan expressed that as a progressive, he seeks change, empathy, and understanding rather than what he perceives as gaslighting.
Gabbard expressed hope that a debate between Trump and Harris would highlight their significant differences. She remarked, “While political theater is often the norm in presidential elections, what we need and deserve right now is a substantive debate.”