US Election: Trump vs Harris - Why this presidential debate matters

“The conventional wisdom is that Presidential debates don't count that much. This year that wisdom has been turned on its head with Biden's performance being so poor in July's debate that he was forced out of the race after his support collapsed. Consequently, there is a huge amount of attention on tomorrow's debate. The fact that this is Harris' first presidential debate, while Trump has done seven, and that neither has met the other in person, makes the stakes higher. Added to that, the polls show an almost dead heat in the election campaign at this point so both sides will be hoping to avoid damaging gaffs while provoking their opponent into fluster or fury. This debate is consequently seen as a pivotal moment in the election cycle, the audience is expected to be huge, the analysis of it will be copious and the use of sound bites from it will be extensive. Far from debates being small speed bumps on the road to election day in November, this round is more akin to a spectator blood sport with each gladiator hoping to avoid a fatal move.”