Vice President Kamala Harris is heading to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to prepare for her upcoming presidential debate against former President Donald Trump. The debate, scheduled for Tuesday, October 19th, will be hosted by ABC News and will be the first and only vice presidential debate of the 2020 election cycle.
Vice President Kamala Harris is heading to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to prepare for her upcoming presidential debate against former President Donald Trump. The debate, scheduled for Tuesday, October 19th, will be hosted by ABC News and will be the first and only vice presidential debate of the 2020 election cycle.
Harris's visit to Pittsburgh comes as the two campaigns are finalizing the rules for the debate. One of the most contentious issues has been the use of microphones. The Harris campaign has repeatedly pushed back against the rule that microphones be muted while a candidate is speaking, arguing that it will give Trump an unfair advantage.
Kamala Harris Prepares for Upcoming Presidential Debate in Pittsburgh
However, ABC News has reportedly offered assurances to the Harris campaign that the microphones may be turned on if there is significant cross-talk between the candidates. The moderator will also discourage either candidate from interrupting constantly and will explain to viewers what is being said when the microphones are muted.
In a letter to ABC News, the Harris campaign accepted the debate rules while still complaining about the terms. The campaign argued that the muted microphone rule "will serve to shield Donald Trump from direct exchanges with the Vice President" and that it "suspects this is the primary reason for his campaign’s insistence on muted microphones."
Kamala Harris Prepares for Upcoming Presidential Debate in Pittsburgh
Trump, for his part, has expressed openness to the idea of live microphones but has also attacked the Harris campaign for suddenly demanding changes. The Trump campaign has accused the Harris campaign of trying to find an "escape hatch" ahead of the debate.
The debate is expected to be one of the most watched events of the 2020 election cycle. It will be the first time that Harris and Trump have faced off in a debate setting, and it will be the first time that a female vice presidential candidate has participated in a presidential debate.
Kamala Harris Prepares for Upcoming Presidential Debate in Pittsburgh
The debate is also likely to be a key moment in the race for the White House. Biden and Trump are currently locked in a tight race, and the vice presidential debate could help to sway undecided voters.
The debate will be held at the Carnegie Mellon University campus in Pittsburgh. It will be moderated by ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos.
Kamala Harris Prepares for Upcoming Presidential Debate in Pittsburgh
