British Broadcasting CorporationThe last time the U.S. presidential candidates met on stage, they traded accusations and personal attacks in a debate that upended the 2024 campaign.
President Joe Biden’s performance forced him to drop out of the race. Therefore, Kamala Harris, who now succeeds him as the Democratic nominee, will face off against former President Donald Trump in the second debate on Tuesday, 10 September (21:00 local time; 01:00 GMT on Wednesday). · Trump vs. Trump.
The event offered both parties a chance for a makeover, and the consensus among voters was clear: They want more policy and less political bickering.
The BBC spoke to voters across the political spectrum. Here’s what the seven would like to see happen.
A Republican born and raised in Utah, he voted for Biden in the 2020 election but plans to switch to Trump in November.
I’m curious to see what they both will do. Kamala Harris has been criticized recently for not doing a lot of interviews and for her underground confrontation with Donald Trump, who is often criticized for the way he performs and the loudness of his voice in debates.
I decided I was going to vote for Trump this time, but I wanted to see what the Vice President had to say. I wanted to see how she improvised without the ability to read cues. I wanted to see how she answered these quick questions while interacting with Trump.
Even though I voted for him, it wasn’t necessarily because I was happy with it. It’s really just a style. I hope Trump can just stand there and not go crazy or anything like that – keep the attacks to a minimum and focus on policy.
The Colorado resident voted for Biden in the last presidential election. He’d love to watch the debate.
I felt like I knew what was going to happen. I know Kamala Harris is a very capable debater. I still remember her debate with Mike Pence four years ago, and I was excited to see her go head-to-head with Trump. I’m glad to have someone on stage who can speak directly back to him and really be his opposing force on stage.
The biggest pitfall is that Donald Trump says so much so quickly. It’s easy to get carried away by what he has to say. I hope Harris doesn’t sink to his level. I would like to see her maintain a positive, upbeat attitude even in the face of Trump.
An independent from the swing state of Pennsylvania, she supported Biden last time but plans to vote for a third party or write in for a candidate in November.
To be honest, I had no intention of watching the debate, at least not live. I’m not interested in either candidate.
From what I’ve seen in debates over the past few elections, they’re just a platform for who can shout the loudest and who can have the best, headline-grabbing lines. I didn’t hear anything substantial.
If someone got up on stage and was realistic about what they could or couldn’t achieve, then maybe that would change my mind. But I don’t think any of them would say anything like that.
This Republican voter supported Trump in 2016 and 2020.
I looked at it like a job interview, and that was my choice for president.
I talk to poor people every day and it seems like it’s getting worse. I personally think the economy is better under Trump. I want to hear what Kamala Harris is going to do.
The main thing I heard from her was that you can’t run the United States of America by empathy alone.
I hope to have a good debate where both sides really put their policies on the table.
The Republican voted for Trump in 2020 – his first election – and believes the economy was much better under the former president’s administration.
I thought it would be at least informative and interesting.
I wonder how our economy will get back on track. I also want to know about the candidates’ plans to reduce illegal immigration.
I believe Trump’s strength is the actual policies enacted. I think Kamala Harris is hiding her views or changing her views. He was better at making plans. But I think his biggest weakness is his demeanor.
I do plan on voting for Trump again, and I hope he wins the debate, but I don’t think either of them have much to do or say to change people’s minds.
The independent voted for Trump in 2020 but is undecided this time.
I’m glad we got Kamala there and I’m really glad they’re going to mute [so they can’t interrupt each other].
[The candidates are] It became so personal with each other. Even in the last debate, I was thinking: ‘Did you answer the question? Or are you just defending what he said about you? They are just attacking each other personally instead of answering anything we want to hear.
The Democrat was pleased to see Biden step down as the nominee and believes his party now has a better chance of defeating Trump.
I do plan to watch it. I think Biden’s debate performance was pretty disappointing, so I’m more excited to see what Harris can do and how she carries herself and presents herself.
A big issue for me is climate change and environmental policy, so I’d be interested to hear her thoughts on that.
However, sadly, at least for me, I would vote for anyone [over Trump]. I almost don’t care what your policy positions are. All I know is what your policy positions are not, so I’ll stick with you through hell or high water.
