The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has officially accepted the debate rules for the highly anticipated September 10 debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump, including a key provision that microphones will be muted when it is not a candidate’s turn to speak, according to sources close to the campaign.
This debate marks the first direct confrontation between Harris and Trump since Harris took over as the Democratic nominee from President Joe Biden on July 21, following Biden’s decision to step aside after a challenging debate performance. Harris’ ascendancy has revitalized the Democratic campaign, which had been grappling with concerns about Biden’s chances against Trump.
Polls leading up to Harris’ nomination showed Trump gaining ground, particularly in crucial battleground states. However, Harris has since gained momentum, overtaking Trump in some national polls. The upcoming debate is seen as a critical moment in the race, with both candidates looking to sway undecided voters.
The Harris campaign, while accepting the muted mic rule, has expressed hope that moments may arise during the debate where microphones are unmuted to allow for more direct exchanges between the candidates. Over the weekend, Harris challenged Trump to debate her without the restriction, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue.
In addition to the Harris-Trump debate, Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance are scheduled to debate on October 1, hosted by CBS News.
