Vice President Kamala Harris is ramping up efforts to secure a second debate with President Donald Trump, raising eyebrows about the state of the 2024 election. Harris skipped earlier debates but is now calling for a CNN-hosted showdown. Some political observers are questioning why a candidate who is supposedly ahead would push for such a high-risk event.
Despite polls showing mixed results, Harris’ insistence on another debate suggests a level of concern. RedState’s Bob Hoge recently reported that Democratic insiders are nervous Trump could once again outperform the public polls, as he did in 2016 and 2020. Though Trump lost the 2020 election, he came closer than many anticipated, and with a tighter race this year, even a slight overperformance could lead to a Republican victory.
Trump’s team has so far resisted Harris’ debate challenge. The Trump campaign has focused on avoiding potential missteps while holding steady in key battleground states. With Trump leading in swing states like Arizona and Georgia, Harris’ focus has turned to Pennsylvania, where her lead is slim.
Harris’ calls for another debate appear to reflect the Democrats’ growing recognition that the election is far from secure. Both sides are bracing for what could be one of the closest races in recent memory, with each debate potentially shaping the final outcome.
