Kamala Harris initiated a strategy to leverage her robust debate performance on Thursday, as the Democratic presidential nominee’s campaign committed to amplifying efforts to influence voters in critical battleground states identified as vital for securing the presidency.
In the interim, Donald Trump, facing scrutiny over his debate performance from even a segment of his supporter base, has indicated a refusal to engage in further debates with Harris. “There will be no third debate,” he stated in a post on his Truth Social platform that conveyed significant frustration.
Following her debate victory, the US vice president proceeded to the pivotal swing state of North Carolina for rallies in Charlotte and Greensboro, subsequently moving north to Pennsylvania, another essential component of the electoral battleground, where she is scheduled to conduct two additional events on Friday.
Harris is engaged in a highly competitive scenario with Donald Trump across seven pivotal swing states that are critical to the strategy for securing victory in the upcoming November election. During Joe Biden’s candidature as the Democratic nominee, Trump maintained a significant lead in numerous states. However, Harris has successfully narrowed the gap, revitalising her party’s prospects.
Trump, maintaining his assertion of victory in Tuesday’s debate against Harris in Philadelphia, faces scepticism from his supporters. He has now shifted his focus to Arizona, a state where the candidates are closely matched and which Biden narrowly secured in the 2020 presidential election.
Recent surveys indicate that Harris maintains a narrow yet consistent lead across the nation. However, the outcome of November’s election will likely hinge on the performance of candidates in the seven key battleground states, particularly Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Nevada, which are deemed critical.
“In an effort to leverage her significant debate win on Tuesday night over Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris is actively engaging in campaign activities to amplify her momentum and clarify for voters the electoral choice underscored by her debate performance,” noted a memo from the Harris campaign issued on Thursday.
The memorandum indicated that campaign personnel dedicated Wednesday to a detailed analysis of the 105-minute debate, identifying critical moments suitable for television and digital advertisements aimed at swing states.
The commitment includes that Harris, who has faced scrutiny for her limited media engagement since securing the Democratic nomination, will conduct a series of interviews with local media outlets in key battleground states. A scheduled meeting is set for next week in Georgia with the National Association of Black Journalists, which previously hosted Trump in August, resulting in a significant public relations setback for the Republican nominee.
Harris received significant commendation for her performance during the debate on Tuesday night, where she effectively engaged and set strategic traps for Trump. In response, Trump deviated from his intended messaging, focussing instead on irrelevant comments regarding crowd sizes at his rallies and unfounded accusations about immigrants.
A segment of Trump supporters attributed his less than-ideal performance to the presence of Laura Loomer, a prominent conspiracy theorist. She accompanied him to the debate and had previously circulated a false narrative regarding Haitian immigrants consuming pet cats and dogs, a claim that the former president subsequently echoed during the event.
Officials in Springfield, Ohio, where the alleged activity was reported, have refuted the claims, which seem to have originated from far-right online platforms and lack supporting evidence.
In a demonstration of ongoing repercussions, reports indicated that law enforcement evacuated Springfield city hall on Thursday due to a bomb threat.
Harris requested an additional debate with Trump, and her campaign strategically leveraged social media by posting the complete footage of the initial event on X as an advertisement, showcasing their confidence in her decisive victory in the contest. A snap CNN poll conducted immediately afterwards confirmed that perception, with 63% of viewers identifying her as the winner.
However, Trump’s social media post, which featured frequent use of all caps to express his opinions on various issues and his claim that he had won the debate, appeared to rule out the possibility of a rematch. “Kamala should concentrate on the actions she could have taken over the nearly four-year timeframe.” “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” he stated, identifying the initial debate as his confrontation with Biden and the subsequent contest with Harris as the second debate.
An estimated 67.1 million individuals viewed the debate, representing an increase of nearly 16 million compared to the audience for Trump’s matchup with Biden in June.
Harris reiterated her interest in a rematch, even in light of Trump’s clear and steadfast rejection. During a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, she stated, “I believe we have an obligation to the voters to conduct another debate, as the significance of this election and what is at stake is paramount.”
On Thursday, Trump faced additional challenges as Alberto Gonzales, a former attorney general under George W. Bush, endorsed his opponent. Gonzales referenced the Republican nominee’s role in inciting the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol during his presidency.
“With the United States nearing a pivotal election, I find it imperative to voice my concerns regarding Donald Trump—potentially the most significant risk to the rule of law in recent history—as he seeks a comeback to the White House,” Gonzales stated. “Consequently, despite my affiliation with the Republican Party, I have chosen to endorse Kamala Harris for the presidency.”
He stated: “Trump did not fulfil his responsibility and utilise his presidential authority to safeguard members of Congress, law enforcement, and the Capitol from the assaults [on January 6].”