Trump vs Harris debate: 'Research shows minimal link between debate outcomes and election results'
With tens of millions of American voters watching, the confrontation between the Democratic vice president and the Republican former president is set to be a pivotal event in the presidential race.
(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on 9 September 2024 shows, L-R, US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaking at a Labor Day event at Northwestern High School in Detroit, Michigan, 2 September 2024 and former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaking at a town hall moderated by Fox News broadcaster Sean Hannity at the New Holland Arena in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on 4 September 2024. Picture: AFP
Bongani Bingwa interviews Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International and Diplomacy Studies at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs.
Listen below.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will face off in their inaugural – and potentially final – televised debate on Tuesday (10 September 2024), a moment that could dramatically impact the high-stakes 2024 US presidential election.
With tens of millions of American voters watching, the confrontation between the Democratic vice president and the Republican former president is set to be a pivotal event in the race.
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"This is very dramatic, it's high drama."
- Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International and Diplomacy Studies – Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs
However, Nieuwkerk points out that research indicates a minimal correlation between the outcome of a presidential debate and the eventual election result.
He further notes that many viewers who tune in are often those who have already decided on their preferred candidate and are simply looking to critique or laugh at the opposing candidate.
"We all understand whoever takes the control of the White House in early January next year, will also determine what happens elsewhere in the world; it's a superpower."
- Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International and Diplomacy Studies – Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.