Harris, Trump gear up for showdown in televised presidential debate

For the first time in this election campaign, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump will face each other in a highly-anticipated televised debate on Tuesday evening.

The exchange of blows between the incumbent vice president and the former US president is seen as a highlight in the remaining two months of the campaign ahead of the US presidential election on November 5.

The two will face each other in a debate hosted by the ABC television network on Tuesday at 9 pm (0100 GMT).

The duel will be a test for Harris in particular. The 59-year-old replaced US President Joe Biden as presidential candidate just a few weeks ago.

For Trump, on the other hand, it is already the second presidential television debate of this election campaign.

In June, the 78-year-old stood on a stage in Atlanta, Georgia, with the then-presidential candidate Biden.

Biden's performance was so weak that the 81-year-old eventually withdrew from the presidential race.

The race between Harris and Trump is tight. They are roughly tied in the polls. The small gap between the two candidates is within the margin of error.

According to an analysis by US broadcaster CNN of several polls, Harris has 49% support, while Trump has 47%.

In the complicated US electoral system, national surveys are just one barometer of public opinion.

Most observers are focusing on the so-called swing states, which include Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and a handful of others.

The two candidates are roughly tied in these key electorates.