Harris and Trump hit the campaign trail amid debate doubts and dueling strategies

Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are returning to the campaign trail this week as they gear up for a potential debate showdown on September 10, though Trump has cast doubt on whether it will happen.

Harris aims to build on the momentum from her Democratic National Convention with a bus tour across south Georgia, culminating in a rally in Savannah on Thursday evening. Her campaign is working to expand the electoral map. Meanwhile, Trump has planned events in key “blue wall” swing states—Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania—as he attempts to block Harris’ path to the presidency.

Some Democrats praised Harris’ DNC acceptance speech for introducing pragmatic progressivism that could resonate with swing voters in the eight pivotal states likely to decide the election. Republicans, however, criticized the speech as divisive, vague on policy, and lacking discussion on issues like inflation and immigration.

This week marks a new phase in the unexpected campaign clash, with both candidates aiming to undermine their opponent before the debate in Philadelphia—if it still takes place.

On Sunday night, Trump posted on social media, questioning whether he would participate in the debate on ABC, expressing dissatisfaction with the network’s coverage. He also suggested the debate might happen on another network.

Harris’ campaign quickly responded, urging Trump to honor his commitment to debate her on ABC on September 10 and rejecting any attempts to muzzle him.

Despite the tension over the debate, the nominees return to the campaign trail following a new national poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University showing Harris leading by 7 percentage points among registered voters. However, some Republicans argue that Trump has consistently outperformed polls in past elections, and they believe he is well-positioned to win.

While Republicans criticize Harris for not addressing substantive policy issues, Democrats remain confident in her chances, citing the energy from last week’s convention and the support she has garnered in battleground states. Senator Bernie Sanders, along with other Democrats, believes Harris’ positive message will resonate with voters who are weary of Trump and inspire confidence in her candidacy.

As Harris focuses on connecting with voters during her Georgia bus tour, Trump will hold a town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he will take questions from voters. Despite Republican criticism, two former Clinton administration officials argue that Harris’ acceptance speech has solidified her position as a center-left Democrat, maintaining the momentum from her explosive campaign launch.