PENNSYLVANIA, USA — A lot has changed since President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump took the stage in late June.
The first presidential debate proved to be a turning point in the race for the White House.
President Biden’s performance created relative panic in the Democratic party and was the first step toward his exit from the race.
"The American public got to see firsthand that Joe Biden has really started to slow down and it was that exposure to the president that really started to change the direction of this campaign," said Dr. Alison Dagnes, chair of the Shippensburg University Political Science Department.
This time, the setting will be different, and the stakes will be higher.
Former President Trump and Vice President Harris will face off on the debate stage in Philadelphia next week.
Dagnes said both campaigns will enter the debate with something to prove.
"For Kamala Harris, she is presenting her policy stance to the American public, some of whom really aren’t quite as familiar with her," she said. "For former President Trump, it’s important to him because he’s been losing ground to Vice President Harris since she entered the race. As a result, he really needs to show that he can stand up to her."
Winning in Pennsylvania remains a point of emphasis, evidenced by the candidates’ frequent visits to the commonwealth.
Days removed from a campaign rally in Johnstown, the former president will appear for a FOX News town hall at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will make two stops in the Keystone State ahead of the all-important debate in deadlocked race.
"Still, it’s within the margin of error, which means Pennsylvania with its 19 electoral votes, we are vital," Dagnes said. "Whoever wins Pennsylvania has a big leg up."
The presidential debate from Philadelphia will air next Tuesday night.