Ahead of the Harris-Trump debate, voters want more policy, less drama

The last time the US presidential candidates met on stage, they traded barbs and put-downs in a debate that fueled the 2024 campaign.

The actions of President Joe Biden forced him to leave the race. So now Kamala Harris, who will succeed him as the Democratic nominee, will face 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 accountability for both parties and the consensus among voters is clear: they want more policy and less political division.

The BBC spoke to voters from across the political spectrum. Here are seven of them who hope to see it happen.

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 the two of them will do. Kamala Harris has been criticized recently for not pretending to do many interviews and being down to earth against Donald Trump, who is often criticized for her style in terms of her demeanor during debates and just her tone.

I’ve decided I’m going to vote for Trump this time, but I’d like to see what the vice president has to say. I would love to see how he does so much off the cuff and without the ability to learn from a mentor. I want to see how you do with those quick questions dealing with Trump.

Although I am voting for him, it is not because I am comfortable with it. It’s really just a style thing. I hope Trump can just stand there and not go crazy with anything – just tone down the attacks and focus on policies.

This Colorado resident voted for Biden in the last presidential election. He is in a hurry to watch the debate.

I feel like I know what’s going to happen. I know that Kamala Harris is an extremely talented mediator. I still remember his debate with Mike Pence four years ago and I’m so happy to see him go with Trump. I’m happy to have someone on stage who will be able to stand up to him directly, be the opposition, to him on stage.

The biggest pitfall is that Donald Trump says too many things too quickly. It’s easy to get wrapped up in what he’s saying. I hope Harris doesn’t drop from his level. I would like to see him maintain his message of hope, and joy even in the face of Trump.

An independent voter from the state of Pennsylvania, he supported Biden last time but plans to vote third-party or write-in for the candidate in November.

I honestly wasn’t planning on watching the debate, at least not live. I am not at all happy with either candidate.

From what I’ve seen in our debates over the past few elections, it’s just a battle of who can shout the loudest and who has the best one-liners to grab the title. I didn’t feel anything important.

If someone gets up on stage and faces the facts about what they can or can’t achieve, maybe that would change my mind. But I don’t think both of them will say such a thing.

This Republican voter supported Trump in 2016 and 2020. She plans to vote for him again, but wants to hear more about policy on both.

I look at it like a job interview, it’s the one that chooses the president.

Every day, I talk to people living in poverty and it seems to be getting worse. I personally think the economy was better under Trump. I want to hear what Kamala Harris is going to do.

What I keep hearing is his vibes and you can’t run the United States of America on vibes alone.

I hope there will be a great debate where both parties put their goals 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 educational and entertaining at the very least.

I want to know how our economy will recover. I would also like to know about the candidates’ plans to reduce illegal immigration.

I believe that Trump’s power is set policy. I think Kamala Harris has either hidden her views or changed her views. He is doing a better job in his plans. But I think his biggest weakness is his behavior.

I plan to vote for Trump again and hope he wins the debate, but I don’t think there is much they can do or say to change people’s minds.

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

I’m so excited that we’re going to have Kamala up there and I’m so excited that they’re going to do it on mute. [so they can’t interrupt each other].

[The candidates are] being personal with each other. Even in the last interview, I’m like: ‘Did you even answer the question? Or are you just defending what he said about you?’ They are attacking each other instead of answering any things we want to hear.

The Democrat is happy to see Mr Biden step down as the nominee and believes his party has a better chance of beating Trump.

I plan to watch. I think Biden’s debate performance was very disappointing so I’m really excited to see what Harris can do and how he carries himself and presents himself.

A big issue for me is climate change and environmental policy so I’d love to hear what you have to say about that.

However, the sad thing, at least for me, is that I can vote for anyone [over Trump]. I probably don’t care what your policy positions are. I just know what your insurance positions are so, I’m sticking with you come hell or high water.