'Stick to policy': Voters want less drama in Harris-Trump debate

Graphic of four voters
Rachel Looker
BBC News, Washington

The last time US presidential candidates met on stage, they traded barbs and personal takedowns in a debate that upended the 2024 campaign.

President Joe Biden's performance forced him to drop out of the race. So now Kamala Harris, his replacement 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 Weds).

The event represents an opportunity for a do-over for both parties and the consensus among voters is clear: they want more policy and less political sparring.

The BBC spoke to voters from across the political spectrum. Here's what seven of them are hoping to see unfold.

A Republican born and raised in Utah, he voted for Mr Biden in the 2020 election but plans to switch to Trump in November.

I'm curious to see what they're both going to do. Kamala Harris has been knocked recently for not doing a lot of interviews and for being underground versus Donald Trump, who usually gets knocked for his style in terms of how he conducts himself during debates and just his loudness.

I've decided I'm going to vote for Trump this time, but I would like to see what the vice-president has to say. I'd like to see how she performs more off the cuff and without an ability to read from the prompter. I want to see how she does with those fast questions interacting with Trump.

Even though I'm voting for him, it's not because I'm comfortable with it necessarily. It's really just a style thing. I hope Trump can just stand there and not go all crazy and whatever - just minimise the attacks and focus on policies.

This Colorado resident voted for Biden in the last presidential election. He's eager to to watch the debate.

I feel like I know what's going to happen. I know that Kamala Harris is an extremely competent debater. I still remember her and Mike Pence's debate from four years ago and I'm really excited to see her go toe-to-toe with Trump. I'm happy to have somebody on stage who will be able to directly counter, really be an opposing force, to him on stage.

The biggest trap is that Donald Trump says so many things so quickly. It's easy to get wrapped up in what he's saying. I hope that Harris doesn't sink to his level. I'd love to see her maintain her optimistic, upbeat message even in the face of Trump.

An independent voter from the swing state of Pennsylvania, she backed Biden last time but plans to vote third-party or write in a candidate come November.

I honestly haven't been planning on watching the debate, at least not live. I'm not excited about either candidate at all.

From what I've seen from our debates in the last few elections, they're just platforms for who can yell the loudest and who's got the best one liner that will catch a headline. I haven't heard anything of substance.

If someone got up on stage and they were realistic about what they could achieve or could not achieve, then maybe that would change my mind. But I don't think either of them are going to say anything like that.

This Republican voter backed Trump in 2016 and 2020. She’s planning to vote for him again, but she wants to hear more about policy from both.

I’m looking at it like it’s a job interview, it’s who I’m choosing for president.

Everyday, I talk to people at the poverty level and it seems like it’s getting worse. I personally think the economy was better under Trump. I want to hear what Kamala Harris is going to do.

What I’ve been hearing is mostly her vibes and you can’t run the United States of America on vibes only.

I am hoping for a great debate where both parties actually lay their policies out on the table.

This Republican voted for Trump in 2020 - his first election - and believes the economy was much better under the former president’s administration.

I think it will be informative and entertaining at the very least.

I‘d like to know how our economy is going to get back on track. I’d also like to know about the candidates’ plans for reducing illegal immigration.

I believe Trump’s strengths are an actual laid out policy. I think Kamala Harris has kind of hidden her views or switched her views. He does a better job laying out his plans. But I think his biggest weakness is his demeanour.

I do plan on voting for Trump again and I hope he wins the debate, but I think there’s not a lot either of them can do or say to change people’s minds.

This independent voted for Trump in 2020 but is currently undecided this time.

I am much happier that we'll be having Kamala up there and I'm really happy that they're going to be doing it muted [so they can't interrupt each other].

[The candidates are] getting so personal about each other. Even in the last debate, I'm like: 'Did you guys even answer the question? Or are you guys just defending yourself about what he said about you?' They're just personally attacking each other instead of answering any of the things that we want to hear.

This Democrat was glad to see Mr Biden step down as the nominee and believes his party now has a better shot at beating Trump.

I do plan on watching. I think Biden's debate performance was pretty disappointing and so I'm way more excited to see what Harris is able to do and how she carries herself and presents herself.

A big issue for me is climate change and environmental policy and so I'd be curious to hear what she says on that.

However, the sad thing, at least for me, is that I would vote for anyone [over Trump]. I almost don't care what your policy positions are. I just know what your policy positions aren't and so therefore, I'm stuck with you come hell or high water.

Watch: What voters would ask Trump and Harris at the debate

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