(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – In an observation showing the importance of the upcoming presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris cannot be overstated, Republican pollster Frank Luntz has emphasized its significance for the 2024 election by declaring that “the debate is everything.”
He expressed this sentiment about the September 13 debate during a CNN interview with anchor John Berman, who queried Luntz about the actions still available to Harris and Trump with the election rapidly approaching.
“The debate is everything,” Luntz declared.
“Everything?” Berman probed.
“Everything,” Luntz reiterated, as cited by Mediaite and The Hill.
He elaborated on the significance of the voters’ perception during the debate, stressing not only the content of the candidates’ responses but also their non-verbal cues.
“When the voter sees side by side the two candidates and they listen to what they say, not just the answers, it’s the body language. Is there contempt? Does someone fold their arms? Do they look at the individual when they’re speaking? Do they seem presidential in their approach?” Luntz elaborated.
The highly anticipated debate is scheduled for September 10 in Philadelphia, marking one of the first opportunities for Harris to directly present her policies to the electorate and contest Trump’s assertions in real-time, as she climbs in national polls.
The discourse surrounding the debate rules has intensified, with the Harris campaign advocating for live microphones even when the other candidate is speaking.
This could highlight any potential interruptions from Trump during Harris’s responses.
Speculation about Trump’s attendance has surfaced, focusing on whether his demeanor towards Harris could influence the debate’s dynamics.
Luntz posed reflective questions on CNN regarding the candidates’ debate strategies.
“For Trump, can he keep quiet? Can he actually listen to a response, or does he have to respond to everything?” For Harris, he asked, “Does she seem open-minded? Does she seem willing to take in information not just project?” the pollster said.
He pointed out that both candidates have distinct objectives for the debate, but ultimately, each needs to demonstrate their readiness to represent the nation long-term.
“Each of them has different goals for that debate, but each one, in the end, has to prove that they’re ready, not just for that moment, but voters are thinking ‘who do I want to represent me two years from now, three or four years from now?” Luntz asked.
Lastly, Luntz emphasized the importance of Harris showing improvement since her performance in the 2020 Democratic primary debates.
“She has to prove she has the capability to do it and Trump has to prove that he doesn’t treat her rudely, obnoxiously, because he lost a lot of female voters in 2020 who would have voted for him over policy but would not vote for him because of his persona,” he stated.
