As the US presidential race heats up, all eyes are on the second debate between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on September 10. After a heated exchange in the first debate led to President Joe Biden dropping out of the race, voters on both sides of the political spectrum are demanding a change in tone. This time, they want to see more discussion on policy issues rather than personal attacks and theatrics.
The BBC recently spoke to a diverse group of voters to assess their expectations for the upcoming debates. Here’s what they said:
Republican perspective: Desire for policy clarity
Robert Oliver, a lifelong Republican from Utah who voted for Joe Biden in 2020, plans to throw his support to Trump this time around. However, he is hoping for a change in Trump’s behavior. “I’m curious to see what those two are going to do,” Robert shared. “I want to see Kamala Harris perform without a script, handling sharp questions directly with Trump.” Although he has decided to vote for Trump, Roberts is not completely comfortable with his decision. “It’s really just a matter of style,” he admitted. “I hope Trump just stands there and doesn’t go crazy… just minimizes the attacks and focuses on policy.”
Misty Dennis, a 45-year-old Republican from California, also expressed a desire for a more substantive debate. She supported Trump in the last two elections and plans to vote for him again. However, she stressed the need to hear more about policies from both candidates. “I’m looking at it like a job interview,” she said. “I want to hear what Kamala Harris is going to do… I’m hoping for a great debate where both parties really lay out their policies.”
Connor Logan, a young Republican voter from Washington, is also interested in hearing specific plans for economic recovery and immigration. “I believe Trump’s strength is in his laid-back policies,” Connor remarked. “But his greatest weakness is his behavior.” Despite his concerns about Trump’s style, he is committed to voting for him again.
Democratic expectations: Harris’s stellar performance
For Democratic voters, the upcoming debate is a chance for Kamala Harris to show off her debating skills against Trump. Daniel Crumrin, a Colorado Democrat who voted for Biden in the last election, is eager to see how Harris handles Trump’s often aggressive style. “I still remember her debate with Mike Pence four years ago,” he said. “I’m happy to have someone on stage who can match him directly.” Daniel hopes Harris will maintain her “optimistic, upbeat message” even when faced with Trump’s aggressive approach.
Douglas Stewart, another Democrat, feels the same way. Though he was disappointed with Biden’s debate performance, he is more optimistic about Harris. “I’m much more excited to see what Harris is able to do and how she presents herself,” she said. For Douglas, climate change and environmental policy are important issues, and she’s looking forward to hearing Harris’ plans in this area.
Independent voices: Frustrated with political drama
Some voters, particularly independents, are feeling frustrated with the current state of political debate in the US. Jessie Mazzoni, 31, of Pennsylvania, voted for Biden in 2020, but is considering a third-party candidate this time around. She’s not excited to watch the debates. “They’re just platforms for who can scream the loudest and who has the best one-liner that will make headlines,” Jessie said. She wants to see realism and honesty about what the candidates can actually accomplish.
Felicity Felgate, 33, of New Hampshire, voted for Trump in 2020 but is undecided for the upcoming election. She expressed disappointment with the personal attacks that dominated the first debate. “Even in the last debate, I was like: ‘Did you guys even answer the question?'” Felicity hopes the moderators will keep the candidates focused on the issues this time around.
Call for courtesy and focus on issues
The message from all voters is clear: they’re tired of political mudslinging and want more substance. While each voter has their own preferences, the common theme is a desire to hear the candidates’ plans and policies.
Voters like Robert Oliver and Misty Dennis want Trump to tone down his rhetoric and focus on policy. Democrats like Daniel Crumrin and Douglas Stewart want Harris to bring a more constructive and optimistic tone to the stage. Independents like Jesse Mazzoni and Felicity Felgate want both candidates to address the real issues facing the country instead of engaging in personal attacks.
What’s at stake in this debate?
The stakes are high for this debate. For Kamala Harris, this is an opportunity to define herself as a capable leader.