Following Tuesday’s debate, Vice President Kamala Harris wasted no time calling for a second face-off with former President Donald Trump, underscoring the significance of their upcoming showdown at the ballot box.
In a post-debate statement, Harris’ campaign chairwoman, Jen O’Malley, stressed that voters had witnessed the stark choice between Harris’ vision for the future and Trump’s desire to return to what she described as regressive policies.
“That’s what they saw tonight,” O’Malley declared, and she reiterated Harris’ readiness to debate Trump again in October.
Trump, however, wasn’t as enthusiastic. Speaking to Fox News’ Sean Hannity, he claimed Harris wanted another debate because she had “lost” the first one. Trump didn’t rule out a rematch but implied he would only consider it if hosted by what he called a “fair” network.
Hannity: “She wants a second debate.”
President Trump: “She wants it because she lost.” pic.twitter.com/aEfKBsNQpK
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 11, 2024
The backdrop to this challenge is Harris’ previous reluctance to commit to multiple debates unless Trump attended the first one hosted by ABC News. Trump had originally proposed a trio of debates, including one on Fox News and another on NBC, but the Fox News date was eventually used for a town hall with Trump and Hannity.
Tuesday’s debate focused on critical issues such as abortion, national security, and the economy. Trump faced heavy scrutiny from the moderators, who frequently challenged his claims, drawing criticism from conservatives for what they saw as biased moderation. Harris, on the other hand, was largely spared from the same level of fact-checking, a point that didn’t go unnoticed by Trump’s supporters.
As the campaign continues, both candidates are positioning themselves for future debates and political battles. Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, is scheduled to debate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ vice-presidential pick, on October 1.
However, Harris’ campaign has declined a second vice-presidential debate with Vance, signaling that Harris is more focused on squaring off directly against Trump.
