The attention and interest surrounding the first and probably only debate between the main candidates has grown significantly in recent days. It’s no wonder – this year’s US election is not only seen as a decisive choice for the country’s future, there are also many indications that what awaits in November will be a thriller, where victory can be decided by very small margins.
Key states decide
In several of the national polls, Kamala Harris has had an advantage recently. But it is in the seven key states that it is decided, because no party can be sure of taking home the so-called electoral votes there.
In all the key states – Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – polls show a more or less dead race between Trump and Harris.
Political experts in the United States believe that it looks so even that this year’s presidential election may well be decided by the group of voters who have not yet made up their minds.
That turns the 90 minutes Harris and Trump have in the spotlight tonight into a unique opportunity to secure the necessary votes.
Superbowl level
In the US, it is said that the televised debate may be followed by so many that only the Superbowl reaches a larger number of viewers in 2024. Neither Harris nor Trump will have such a large audience again before election day.
Who will win the duel is impossible to answer – the meeting between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in Atlanta this summer shows that anything can happen.
But there is no doubt that a lot is at stake when the two opponents face each other for the first time.