The Trump-Harris debate should give us plenty to be angry about

Vice President Kamala Harris will face former President Donald Trump in a debate on Tuesday in Philadelphia. It’s the first time these two candidates will be onstage together this election season, and it’s imperative that both candidates get their platforms across.
It’s a do-over the Democrats desperately need to go well, after President Joe Biden’s dismal June performance. While the Democrats are almost certain to fare better with Harris at the podium, there is still a portion of the country that is still getting to know her.
A Harvard Youth Poll, taken before Harris stepped into the race, found that 16% of 18- to 29-year-old voters were still undecided in this year’s election. For those Gen Zers and young millennials, this debate should help them get a clear idea of what each candidate stands for.
My overall hope for the debate is that the two presidential nominees actually discuss their platforms instead of taking jabs at each other the whole night. With Trump, that’s not really a possibility. I just hope we get a little bit of what the candidates are running on in between the insults the former president is sure to lob.
Abortion is possibly the biggest issue of this election cycle. A New York Times/Siena College poll of battleground states found that it was the biggest issue for 23% of 18- to 29-year old voters in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, more than any other topic.
This should be an easy topic for Democrats, but they really need to make up for Biden’s incoherent answer from the June debate. I want to see them tackle this issue completely: Tell us how you plan to codify Roe v. Wade into law, and stress how important this issue is to the campaign.
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For Trump, it’s important to stick to the message. The former president recently said he may vote in favor of a Florida ballot initiative expanding abortion rights. This is also the same man who has bragged about appointing the justices that overturned Roe v. Wade, so maybe I’m not inclined to believe he had a change of heart.
In the last debate, Trump said abortions were happening “in the eighth month, the ninth month and even after birth.” Expect more lies like that in the next one.
Immigration is one of the most pressing issues of this election – the majority of 18- to 29-year old Americans say they believe there is an immigration “crisis” at the southern border.
According to Gallup, 55% of Americans say immigration should decrease.
It was an issue Trump leaned into heavily at the last debate: “We have the largest number of terrorists coming into our country right now.”
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As a progressive, what I hope to see is less fearmongering about undocumented people. Taking a strong stance on immigration should not result in an entire group of people being referred to as “terrorists.” Besides, I’d rather them talk policy.
That means Trump would have to answer for his efforts this year to kill a bipartisan border security bill, which included funding for his border wall.
Harris is supporting the same provisions that were in that bill, but I’d also like to hear how the Biden administration has been handling the issue. I also want to know what her plans are for improving the immigration system so it runs efficiently.
More than half of young people support a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, according to Harvard. It’s an issue Democrats are struggling with, and one that Republicans have yet to provide an answer for.
The fighting in Gaza has now killed more than 40,000 Palestinians and more than 1,2000 Israelis. This needs to be addressed as we head into the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, as it seems unlikely that a deal will be struck any time soon.
Harris has said that she and Biden are working toward a cease-fire in the region, and she’s seen as more sympathetic to the Palestinian people. To appease the most Democrats and win over undecided voters, hammer home her desire to stop fighting in the region and how she plans to accomplish that if elected.
Trump has not had to talk about the Israel-Hamas war beyond saying Harris will be worse on the issue. He has said that he is the only person who can prevent World War III, and that a Harris presidency would lead to the end of Israel within two years. Yes, really.
Trump needs to say how he plans to work with Israel, and not shy away from the issue or make outrageous claims against his opponent. But considering who he is, I’m not holding my breath.
Follow USA TODAY elections columnist Sara Pequeño on X, formerly Twitter,@sara__pequeno.