US Presidential Debate: Harris and Trump Prepare in Different Styles

Ahead of the first TV debate, a crucial moment in the U.S. presidential election, Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump are taking distinct approaches to preparation.

Vice President Harris arrived at Philadelphia Airport on the afternoon of the 9th, the day before the debate, and visited the National Constitution Center, the venue for the debate, to complete a preliminary inspection. She then returned to her hotel in downtown Philadelphia to prepare for the debate.

Harris had been meticulously preparing for the debate, staying at a hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for five days starting on the 5th. Foreign media reported that Vice President Harris practiced a mock debate that was identical to the actual one, including having her opponent, former President Trump, wear a boxy suit and long tie in the “Trump style.”

In contrast, Trump appeared to be relatively relaxed. With three presidential campaigns under his belt, including this year’s, Trump is participating in this TV debate for the seventh time. He arrived in Philadelphia around 7 p.m. on the 10th, about two hours before the debate began.

Former President Trump seemed more focused on social media than debate preparation. On his platform, TruthSocial, he wrote that “Democrats are trying to register illegal immigrants as voters” and that “Harris is responsible for the Biden administration’s failures, including inflation and immigration.”

Jason Miller, a senior communications adviser for the Trump campaign, stated, “Nobody could possibly be prepared to take on Trump. Imagine a boxer getting ready to take on Floyd Mayweather or Muhammad Ali.”

The TV debate is being held in Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state with 19 electoral votes at stake. This marks the first time a presidential debate has been held in Pennsylvania since the 1976 presidential election.

The National Constitution Center, where the debate is taking place, is surrounded by a high fence and blocked from public access. The press center for this debate was set up at the Philadelphia Convention Center, about 1 km away from the debate venue.

At the press center, approximately 1,000 journalists from around the world have gathered. After the debate, Democratic and Republican politicians will evaluate the debate and promote their own candidates.