Is Kamala Harris skilled at debating? Let's find out.

Former President Donald Trump's debating style is well-known to the world: he is known for disregarding facts, being quick to insult others, and having an extreme level of confidence. However, what about Vice President Kamala Harris? While her 2020 presidential campaign did not make much of an impact - it ended in December 2019 before the first primary votes were cast - Harris did leave a lasting impression in one significant way.

During the primary debate in June 2019, Harris, who was not yet Biden's running mate or anywhere near the White House, delivered a powerful blow to Joe Biden. The issues of policing and race were critical topics in the 2020 Democratic primary, and Harris did not hold back. She told Biden directly that while she did not believe he was a racist, it was hurtful that he praised men like Strom Thurmond and John Stennis, who built their careers on racial segregation. She also reminded him of his past actions in the Senate, including working with these men on legislation that opposed federally mandated busing in school districts. Harris then revealed a personal connection to the issue, sharing that she was one of the few students bused to integrate her public school, and that "little girl" was her. It was a moment that showcased Harris' ability to debate - it was well-rehearsed, delivered with impact, and boldly said to the face of her opponent.

Now, Harris has the chance to go head-to-head with Trump for the first time in the key state of Pennsylvania. She has undoubtedly spent time preparing to take on her rival, and the Democrats have framed the campaign as a matchup between a former prosecutor (Harris) and a convicted felon (Trump). This debate is a rare opportunity for Harris to express the anger and frustration that Democrats have been feeling towards Trump for years. She can call him out on his criminal conviction, his controversial policies, and his unfounded claims about election fraud. Unlike in her previous debate with Biden, Harris won't need to go back decades to find lines of attack - she can use recent events to her advantage.

However, the debate will be different from Harris' previous experiences. The candidates' microphones will be muted when it is not their turn to speak, so Trump won't be able to interrupt her with insults like he did with Hillary Clinton in 2016. This also means that Harris won't have a chance to recreate her iconic moment from the 2020 vice presidential debate when she shut down Mike Pence's interruptions with a firm "Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking."

Harris' past debates have shown that not all of her planned takedowns are successful. In one instance, she tried to attack Senator Elizabeth Warren's plan to break up tech companies by bringing up Twitter's suspension of Trump's account. However, this point felt insignificant compared to Warren's larger argument, and it ended up making Harris look weak.

Trump's team will undoubtedly try to paint Harris as someone who is too far left for the American mainstream and has changed her positions for political gain. However, Harris has a history of standing her ground and defending her actions. In a previous debate with Tulsi Gabbard, who has now endorsed Trump, Harris was criticized for her record as a prosecutor. She responded confidently, stating that she was proud of her work and that she didn't just give speeches like others, but actually took action to make California better. The irony here is that Gabbard, who has previously spoken out against Harris, is now supporting Trump, who advocates for the death penalty for drug offenders.

Ultimately, this debate could be crucial in swaying the few undecided or movable voters. While most people have already formed their opinions on Trump, Harris still has room to grow or fall in the eyes of the public. A recent poll has shown that more people feel they need to learn more about Harris compared to Trump. The importance of this debate lies in how Harris presents herself and how she responds to Trump's attacks. It will be a test of her debating skills and her ability to appeal to a broader audience.

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