For both candidates, it depends on their performance in this debate.

Polls show the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to be particularly close. This may be the only chance voters will get to see the two candidates face off before casting their ballots.

Keep in mind that this was originally supposed to be the second debate between Trump and Joe Biden, but the president’s poor performance in their first debate ultimately spelled the end of his campaign.

“People normally say that debates may be less important because many voters have already made up their minds,” said Matt Levendusky, a political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

“But this year, the context will be very different, in the sense that many voters have not yet really gotten to know Kamala Harris as a presidential candidate.

“I think a lot of people will be listening to understand what Harris’ positions are, how she’s different from Biden, how she’s not, and how she can counter Trump.”

Florida resident Shannon O’Brien is one of those voters. He’s not a big fan of the vice president, but he has serious concerns about Trump.

“I think there are a lot of people who are independent like me,” he told me.

“And if we can see that Kamala is aware, present in the moment, and ready to lead, I think that can move us in one direction or the other.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with these two.

ABC America hosts David Muir and Linsey Davis have the unenviable task of moderating today’s presidential debate.

There is a lot of interest in the contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and many undecided voters will likely let what happens on the debate stage shape their opinions.

So it is only fair to say that the way Muir and Davis handle their case could have a material impact on the election outcome.

Donald Trump has a little more experience on this forum than Kamala Harris.

He has now participated in six presidential debates: three against Hillary Clinton in 2016, two against Joe Biden in 2020 and his most recent showdown with Biden in June.

Biden’s performance, which ultimately led to his withdrawal from the race, was more discussed than Trump’s. But Trump bluffed and dodged During the debate, he was criticized for making more than 30 false or misleading statements.

There was also an unusual conversation in which Trump and Biden criticized golfers’ handicaps.

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Harris’ last election debate was in 2020, against Trump’s Vice President Mike Pence.

The Harris-Pence Debate didn’t make much of an impression; it is perhaps most famous for the housefly that landed on Pence’s head.

But Harris had a viral moment when she twice ended Pence’s interruptions with the phrase, “I am speaking.”

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It became something of a slogan for Harris, appearing everywhere from Twitter memes to T-shirts.

This may be the last time Kamala Harris and Donald Trump debate. But it won’t be the final debate of the presidential race. (Unless things change, and they often do…)

Harris’ running mate Tim Walz and Trump’s running mate JD Vance have agreed to a debate on October 1st.

That debate is presented by the CBS television network in New York City.

I can still vividly remember the excitement, anticipation and high political stakes that accompanied my coverage of the Obama/McCain debates as a Washington correspondent. from 2008.

But those games and everything that followed are absolutely nothing compared to what’s about to unfold in Philadelphia.

The implosion of Joe Biden during his debate with Donald Trump in June made sure of that.

We’re about to watch the most important 90 minutes of the election 2024 (second choice).

I will be sharing my thoughts and analysis as the big show unfolds. Brace yourself!

While we wait for the debate to begin, our correspondents are on site and can answer all your questions.

Let us know in the comments below!

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In Philadelphia, preparations for the debate are in full swing.

The candidates arrived in Pennsylvania earlier this week.

ABC News host Gemma Veness breaks down the rules for the highly anticipated 90-minute showdown.

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The rules are very similar to those of the last debate between Trump and Joe Biden:

• The debate will continue 90 minutesof two commercial breaks.

• Candidates will have two minutes to answer each questionwith a two-minute rebuttal and an additional minute for a follow-up, clarification or response.

• There will be no audience(However, unlike the CNN debate, some reporters will be allowed in the room.)

• No props are allowed.

• No pre-written notes are allowed, but candidates will be given a pen and paper.

• Microphones are muted except when candidates are required to speak.

• There will be no opening statementsThe candidates are asked to give their opinion two-minute closing statements.

The debate begins at 9:00 p.m. (Philadelphia time).

That is 11:00am AEST.

It is intended to last 90 minutes.

Here you can read more about how this will all happen:

Good morning and thank you for joining us for our live broadcast of the US presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris!

It is now just after 7 p.m. in Philadelphia, which means work will begin in a few hours.

Given how close the polls are, what happens today could have a major impact on the battle for the White House.

The debate will be broadcast live on ABC News and on our YouTube channel.

And if you have a question, leave it in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer it!