Its going . In the last one within the first ten minutes people had their ideas. Whats your Mark Tonight . I think well have a sense of whether what the moderators have planned tonight. One of the things was Fact Checking was going to be the purview of the participants not the moderators, and i think well get a sense of what role the moderators are going to play in the first few minutes. I think if you look back at harris and her sort of arc in the senate on the Judiciary Committee, it took her about three quarters to make bill barr, Jeff Sessions and Brett Kavanaugh squirm. I would give her about five minutes to see what approach shes taking and what strategy she plans to deploy. Trump wont be the story. I know he likes to always be the story, but trump will be trump. I think ill be interested to see what abc and the Moderators Approach is tonight and what Vice President harris approach is tonight. You make a great point in reminding everyone even though news viewers may have been watching her and the dnc did well and outrated the rnc, thee is the new variable, a new variable on the democratic side. Weve seen the enthusiasm, the new variable to the public. In that sense, what the new variable says and how its absorbed will be a big feature of this, and you mention her questions. Shes good at that. The muted mic and this civilized order. You love when they say its going to be civilized. Write that down and invite Donald Trump over. She also is good at leaving questions at The End of her remarks, sometimes its a lawyers tool, and putting more heat on him. Is he going to answer anything from her or the moderators, because we know how he is. And the way you got to what do you want me to say . Standing by for january 6th, they put it on their own tshirts, just ask them. Was by Joe Biden saying the proud boys are the proud boys and the moderator, chris wallace, demanding an answer. So, again, we know what trump will do. Trump will do trump, and hes a sophisticated name your domestic pet, but the variables are the Vice President , her chosen strategy, what she chooses to deploy, and the moderators, what standards they have for the truth. All really interesting. A Big Night. Im really excited. I just feel excited. See, this is rachels influence, right . I can just imagine for us political nerds, this is sort of the prom and christmas and hanukkah all rolled into one. We will be here with our snacks. Eight nights of hanukkah, christmas and a little bit of the super bowl. Well take it all. Nicolle, ill see you at the table. Well all be watching together. See you soon. Our thanks to nicolle wallace. Welcome to the beat. Im Ari Melber and welcome to Debate Night in america. The data suggests more americans will be watching Politics Tonight than any other night this year. We can show you the stage already set in philadelphia where Trump And Harris Face Off for what is going to be their first meeting ever. Yes, theyre both in politics. A former president , a current Vice President , but theyve never been in the same room, and they both face High Stakes, as nicolle and i were discussing. The last debate clearly had more pressure on biden than trump and then sparked weeks of intrigue which led to the President S unprecedented exit from the race. These two this time face a tight race. Trump and harris are tied in current polling in the key states that could decide the whole thing including michigan and pennsylvania. Harris has been marching through weeks of campaigning and often quite positive national coverage since she became the nominee in what happened in politics coming out of that last debate. But, again, tonight is still different, and this is not just excitement, even though we are excited. We admit it. Or News Speak or nerd speak, im going to walk it through with you right now. Tonight is actually on track to be Kamala Harris largest live audience ever, the democrats convention drew about 20 Million viewers, slightly more than the rnc. Her Vp Debate last cycle drew a whopping 58 Million live viewers. Tonights debate expected to surpass that and surpass the Trump Biden Debate of the summer and maybe even surpass, according to some analysts, the 73 Million people who came together and watched that 2020 debate which was a Big One and High Stakes and also, of course, during lockdown when more people were home all the time. But let me tell you this, analysts are forecasting a Tv Audience Tonight on par with the largest cultural moments across the History Of Modern American Television including back to eras where there were far fewer channels, there was no internet streaming, and people certainly werent on their phones. For example, tonight could draw an audience that could upend this whole race, because they are saying it could draw more than the 76 Million people who came together to watch the Seinfeld Series Finale live in 1998, and that comparison comes from the New York times itself which reports the audience would rival those final episodes of seinfeld or cheers which drew a whopping 80 million, in the simpler media days of 1993. Those are huge numbers, as well as the show about nothing. Tonights debate is definitely about something. We are living through the time of the Big Lie and the failed coup, of political violence and crackdowns on human rights, of rising prices and choppy markets, of wars in youre in the middle east, all the important things going on that also clearly have affected the electorate, a country that has been in a sour mood, which has faced the biden administration even as its leaders and now its democratic nominee, Kamala Harris, try to explain why so much of whats happening now was cleaning up for what they say came before in the trump era. The electorate is aware of all of this plus living through one of the most unusual election years in memory. As a democratic strategist put it, its like running a 5k after riding a tiltawhirl. Hours from now Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will battle it out on the Debate Stage. Microphones will be muted. I was even told by one ally they had encouraged him to use facial expressions to respond not to actually say anything out loud. Shes been having mock debates with an aide who is dressed like Donald Trump. Regardless of which version of Donald Trump actually shows up on the Debate Stage, it is an opportunity for the Vice President , right, to communicate her vision. An opportunity, a clash, and a heck of a lot of pressure. As for the Debate Stage, weve seen both of these candidates styles on display. Our plan will bring Health Care to all americans. Nobody has done it, so were cutting Health Care if you dont mind letting me finish, we can have a conversation. Such a nasty woman. Proud boys stand back and Stand By we need someone on that stage who has the ability to go Toe To toe with Donald Trump. That was the candidate in the democratic debates, Kamala Harris, now shes doing that tonight for the first time. As for the record, setting us up tonight, Donald Trump has done General Election debates in 16, in 20, and his primary debates. Harris has done one with pets. Her time as a prosecutor does lend her more of an edge than many typical politicians, who you might have noticed can be quite long winded after years serving in talking clubs like the u. S. Senate. But lets be clear as we head into this tonight looking at the evidence and the record and why this is tough. Donald trump has an edge that goes beyond even his times on this particular stage. Debates are a television experience. They are really a type of Tv Show with higher ratings than most other political programs and Tv Shows. And trump spent his adult life in his own show, the actual Reality Show of the apprentice, literally, and dozens of other Madefortv And Pr events and performances. Donald trump oozes the quips and zingers many politicians try to learn later in life. Thats why harris own aides have been emphasizing trumps experience as a Debater Pointing out that hes done all those debates i mentioned, including the recent one with biden, that he has more recent experience while also hitting him for rambling speeches and lies. Its clear both of these people who Face Off tonight against this clear set of High Stakes and a huge audience, both these people are strong communicators. Theyre going to lean into their strengths, as we have seen before. What we have not seen is how they may impact each others performance. Its unfortunate that we have someone on the stage who is attempting to be the democratic nominee. Who during the Obama Administration spent four years full time on Fox News criticizing president obama. Im totally underleveraged because the assets are extremely good, and we have a very i built a great company. I am the only person on that Debate Stage who has dedicated their life to reforming this criminal justice system. New york, its a ghost town. Its a ghost town. And when you talk about plexiglas if you have something to say say it to my face i know Donald Trumps type. They have both been gearing up for this. And when you were up on that stage, you are alone. There is no teleprompter with stats or speeches. Theres certainly no Ear Piece with any disembodied voice offering you tips. Some of the most highperforming competitors on earth still get their live coaching on the sidelines while theyre on the field because it can help, because coaching works. Again, theres a level set, they are out with no such staff help. The rules ban all of that, and they bar even bringing their own handwritten notes to help your memory, something that even very experienced speakers tend to bring when you give a public address, let alone 90 minutes up on a stage. The rules mute the mics, as youve heard, and require measures to reach the goal of a, quote, civilized discussion. Have you met both these candidates . One of them may struggle with that. Any coaching, though, will have to be finished before they step out on that stage alone, before the 9 00 p. M. Start tonight. And we do know both candidates have tapped their own advisers for prep. Donald trump using his Campaign Leadership you see here as well as his longest serving loyal aide steven miller, who is very involved, one of his most local matt gaetz. This shows you some clues as to the assertive Style Trump May Deplay tonight. Harris has prepped with a number of different experts. You see karen dunn, a top lawyer who is also defending google right now in a big, big, highstakes case. Reines is there. These people matter because before the candidates do step out on that stage now, just under three hours away, they will be alone in combat, alone in the physical sense of the word, yet watched by 50, 60, 70 Million people or more plus the tens of millions more than will watch later in the clips that may or may not shape perceptions of these two candidates. So theyll do their final prep with these trusted teams deciding on the strategy for this mostwatched battle this General Election season. Its a Big Night for the country. Definitely a Big Night here at msnbc. We have a lot planned for you. What do we think those people in these final hours are talking about at this moment as everyone gears up for this . Well, our leadoff guests have actually been in those rooms prepping President S and candidates at the highest levels. Were back in 90 seconds. Were s this is the easiest, nontoxic Swap Youll ever make. Lumineux toothpaste was made by dentists designed to break up plaque and remove any toxins in the mouth, so itll deep clean your teeth and whiten your teeth without any sensitivity. Find Lumineux Toothpaste at a walmart and target. Nexium 24hr prevents Heartburn Acid before it begins. Get Allday And Allnight Heartburn Acid prevention with just one pill a day. Choose acid prevention. Choose nexium. Donald trump got punked. He has conducted Foreign Policy since Day One born out of a very fragile ego that fails to understand that one of the most important responsibilities of the Commander In Chief is to concern herself with the security of our natiOn And homeland. Harris there on the Debate Stage, and now we turn to our leadoff guests in our Special Coverage, some of the most sought after Debate And Campaign experts in the nation, renowned Washington Attorney Bob barnett, a top Debate Coach for obama and ten total president ial campaigns tapping his experience as williams and conley partner and playing the key role of the opposing candidate. He did that as bush, cheney and sanders, to prod and clash what were his democratic candidate clients. He did over 20 practice debates with bill clinton. His Client Roster includes michelle obama, bob woodward, liz cheney, the late john lewis. Full disclosure, he acted as my literary attorney. Washingtonian listed them on their list of best lawyers. Not too bad, bob. Welcome. Good to have you and your experience. And Jen Psaki has advised on the highest levels, the Obama Biden campaigns, of course, served as bidens White House secretary. She also knows the Vice President well and is our colleague now, host of inside with Jen Psaki. A Big Night for america, but a Big Night for your voluminous and accurate intros. Welcome to both of you. Thanks, ari. Thank you, ari. Bob, what do you see tonight . I think that it will be huge. I think, as i remember 92 hit 80 million. Im thinking it might do that, as you projected. I think both candidates have a lot at stake because they each have very different goals. And i think this will be the only debate, so theres a lot at stake. Jen . No question. I think if youre the harris team, you have a huge opportunity because 28 of people, according to that New York times poll, need to know more about you. So if youre her, youre thinking about that. What do they need to mo more about you . The contrast with trump . Do they need to know your plans . Thats on her mind in this debate. I think for her she wants to get under trumps skin, but also to do it in the right way. A huge moment would be a huge Abortion Moment where she pushes him on abortion because whats changed since 1992 and even more recently than that is these debates live on. They use them in clips for social media. They want the Followup Earned Media coverage after. They think what the moments are going to be. For harris, i think the biggest challenge is shes a preparer. We love that. We applaud people who do their homework. At a certain point, you have to put the note cards and the binders away and be in the moment. You want to see her less scripted . Yes. As you just did in your intro, which is so true, trup is a circus performer, my words. Its very different from, say, being in a Judiciary Committee hearing where youre in control of the questions youre asking and what youre pushing these people on. You have to be agile and, therefore, Let Go of the briefing materials. Shes smart. She knows them. You have to be in the moment. She has every capability of doing but that will be key in terms of her performance. Both of you mentioning whether or not she can affect trump, who famously dominates these televised scenarios. Bob, they put out an ad which may or may not be a clue, because you could cut an ad and have a different message on the Debate Stage, citing Obama Messing with trump. Take a look. Heres a 78yearold Billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems. Oh, she had a big crowd. Oh, the crowd this weird obsession with crowd sizes. It just goes On And On And on. Bob, what do you think of that strategy, whether we see it on the stage from harris directly, to try to get something back out of trump . I think thats a brilliant ad. It will go down in history with all those things. I think harris has to do four things. Number one, i think she has to continue the process of introducing herself to the american people. The polls show 28 dont know enough or dont know much of anything. So this is an opportunity but also a challenge. I think, second, she has to avoid taking the bait. Theres going to be a lot of bait, and you dont want to take any of the bait. You have to use the kissoffs, the pivots, such as she used in some of the interviews, same old playbook, next question, who does that . And i think you have to get away from his circus, good word, and try to do your own thing, show your own capabilities. Third, i think she has to defend the best of the biden record, and theres a lot there, a lot of good things. But she also has to do what Hubert Humphrey never did, and you guys are too young to remember Hubert Humphrey. Never separated himself, just that bit from lbj, the same way she has to separate herself a little bit from Joe Biden, to show who she is and what shes for thats different than the last four years, because there are people who havent liked the