Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are entering the most important stretch of the presidential campaign with their first-ever meeting in Tuesday night’s debate. But the way each candidate has readied themselves to meet this moment couldn’t be more different — a night-and-day dichotomy that emphasizes how different they are from one another.
Harris, an often risk-averse politician, focuses heavily on doing her homework. Trump, a freewheeling celebrity, blusters, exaggerates and fabricates his way through basically anything.
And the debate is coming at what could be a pivotal moment for both campaigns. After weeks of Democrats riding a sugar high built off the switch-out of their unpopular candidate following the last debate, Harris’ momentum seems to have stalled. In swing states, polling suggests a stalemate.