After the last presidential debate, no one can ever say again that debates don’t matter.

That said, the stakes might be even higher this time around. I think that there will be a record audience tuning in for the debate. Let’s keep in mind that public opinion about Kamala Harris is much less defined than it would usually be the case for a presidential candidate at this point in time. I think that quite a number of people will really tune in to listen what she’s got to say.

So, there is a big upside, but also a big risk. The minimum goal for her is a draw. The maximum goal is to show that she is mainstream, presidential and he is the past.

As for Donald Trump, I think opinions are set. As we have seen, even a guilty verdict doesn’t change the numbers. Voters either love him or hate him. That said, he needs to use this opportunity to reset his campaign. Right now, the dynamics of the race have been working against him and he needs to change that. Stop letting her get away with owning change and instead, portray her as out of the mainstream. He needs a strategy and a narrative, and use every question to drive it home. Can he be as disciplined as during the first 30 minutes of the first debate? That’s one thing I will be looking for.