Special Poll
Former President Donald Trump is under growing pressure to debate Vice President Kamala Harris again after she accepted an invitation from CNN for an October debate. Republicans are encouraging Trump to engage in a second match-up with her, arguing he could deliver a more focused and disciplined performance this time around.
In the first debate, hosted by ABC earlier in September, many voters perceived Harris as the victor. GOP strategists believe Trump has nothing to lose by stepping onto the debate stage again, especially since Harris’s win had little impact on the tight race, which remains close.
“We’re in a very tight race. I like where President Trump stands,” said Steve Cortes, a former Trump advisor. “But any of us who closely follow polling know this race is super close, and in this environment, it’s critical to take every opportunity to address a large audience of Americans.”
Harris has already accepted CNN’s offer for a debate on October 23, a move following her campaign’s call for a second debate. Trump, however, expressed hesitation, stating, “It’s too late to do another debate. I’d love to, but the voting is cast,” referencing his previous debate with President Biden in June, which led to Biden withdrawing from the race.
Trump’s GOP supporters argue that a second debate would give him a chance to improve his performance by focusing more on policy. Dan Eberhart, a Trump donor, emphasized this, saying, “If he focuses on policy, he wins.” However, he also acknowledged that staying on policy isn’t always Trump’s strength. Some Republicans were frustrated by Trump’s decision during the first debate to promote unfounded claims about Haitian migrants, which they felt detracted from more pressing issues.
Cortes shared a mixed view on Trump’s debate strategy, noting that while Trump’s willingness to tackle controversial topics is one of his strengths, the focus should remain on the larger issue of illegal immigration and its impact on small towns.
When asked about the pressure to debate Harris again, Trump’s campaign pointed to a Truth Social post where Trump declared he won the first debate and saw no need for a rematch. “There will be no third debate,” Trump stated, criticizing Harris for her absence from earlier debate opportunities.
On the other hand, Harris has increased pressure on Trump, urging him to join her on the debate stage. During a New York City fundraiser, she said that voters deserve to hear more about each candidate’s plans and accused Trump of looking for an excuse to avoid the debate.
Despite being praised for her debate performance, Harris’s lead over Trump increased only slightly after the first debate. According to polling data from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, her national lead grew from 3.2 percentage points to 3.6 percentage points after the debate.
Republicans have voiced concerns about the moderators from the first debate, with some suggesting that Trump was treated unfairly compared to Harris. GOP strategist Ford O’Connell argued that unless the debate conditions improved, there’s little value in another debate, especially since early voting has already begun in several states.
Some within the party feel that Trump should pass on the debate, citing the risks involved. Bruce Mehlman, a former official in the George W. Bush administration, pointed out that debates haven’t historically worked in Trump’s favor. Without a more aggressive strategy or stronger preparation, another debate could hurt, rather than help, his campaign.