Northeast Louisiana residents speak on the presidential debate

OUACHITA PARISH (KTVE/KARD) – The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump will air on September 10, 2025, at 8:00 P.M.

The debate is set to last 90 minutes, and each presidential candidate will have two minutes to answer questions about key topics in the country and their respective campaigns. KTVE/KARD spoke with community members about the debate to know what they want to hear.

I want some common sense. I want them to come look at what the real people, not the politicians, how we have to survive. You know, and I don’t see a lot of that coming from either side.

Linda Smothermon, Sicily Island Resident

With the candidates being neck and neck in the race, the debate will be critical for both candidates to lay out their policies and plans. The debate will also provide Vice President Harris with the opportunity to introduce herself to voters and give Former President Trump a platform to address the trajectory of his campaign. Another community member spoke to KTVE/KARD about what she would like to hear from the candidates.

I would like for Trump to say a lot less that what he does and not be so hateful and mean and tend to what he wants to do. You know, not calling everybody stupid, dumb, and retarded and all that. Kamala Harris, I would like to hear more. Nobody knows her, you know. So I would like to hear more about what she’s going to do face to face.

Sandra Hampton, West Monroe Resident

Despite the debate occurring, many residents who spoke with KTVE/KARD voiced that they would tune in to the debate but had already made a decision on who they were voting for.