Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off in their first presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia today. (Photos via X: @KamalaHarris and @realDonaldTrump)
Tadias Magazine
Updated: September 10th, 2024
New York (TADIAS) – As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, both major party candidates are set to debate in Philadelphia tonight. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will face off for the first time since Harris became the Democratic nominee. The debate is expected to focus on key issues such as the economy, immigration, foreign policy, and other domestic matters, providing a critical opportunity for each candidate to appeal to voters and clarify their positions.
This debate comes at a pivotal moment in the campaign season. Vice President Harris, who accepted the Democratic nomination last month after President Biden dropped out, is looking to build on recent gains in swing state polls. Former President Trump, who secured the GOP nomination despite an assassination attempt earlier this year, will seek to solidify his base while reaching out to undecided voters. Both candidates are expected to make their case to the American people at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Key Developments Leading Up to the Debate:
Harris Transition Team Takes Shape: The Harris campaign has appointed Yohannes Abraham, the U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN, to lead the presidential transition team should Harris win the election. Abraham, a seasoned political strategist who previously led the Biden transition in 2020, will be stepping down from his current post in Jakarta to take on this critical role.
Trump Campaign Prepares for Transition: In a similar move, the Trump campaign has also announced its transition team, headed by Linda McMahon, former head of the Small Business Administration, and Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald. The team aims to distance itself from more controversial elements associated with Project 2025, a policy initiative by conservative groups. Additionally, former President Donald Trump has added his onetime campaign rival Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to the transition team.
Former VP Dick Cheney’s Defection: In a surprising turn of events, former Vice President Dick Cheney, a prominent Republican figure, announced he would not support the Republican ticket in the 2024 election. This marks the most high-profile defection of a Republican to Harris’s side, highlighting growing divisions within the GOP establishment. Cheney’s endorsement follows his daughter, Liz Cheney, who also publicly confirmed her father’s decision not to support Trump, further raising questions about how other Republicans will position themselves in this election cycle.
Multicultural Voter Shifts: Recent data shows shifting dynamics among multicultural voters heading into the 2024 election. According to a new report by My Code™, there has been an increase in support for Vice President Harris among multicultural men, highlighting a trend that could impact the election outcome. The report emphasizes the need for candidates to connect with diverse communities through targeted messaging and concrete policy actions.
Habeshas for Harris Campaign Gains Momentum: The “Habeshas for Harris” coalition, representing Ethiopian and Eritrean Americans, is mobilizing support for Vice President Harris, emphasizing the importance of political representation and advocating for community concerns at both the national and local levels.
As the election draws nearer, these developments reflect the broader strategies of both campaigns to engage key voter groups and address pressing national issues. With the debate stage set in Philadelphia, the focus will now turn to how effectively each candidate can communicate their vision for the country’s future.
—
Related:
Harris-Trump presidential debate: How to watch live (Yahoo News)
Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook
