Yes, all eyes are on Kamala Harris, but will the media hold Trump accountable during tonight’s debate?

Tonight, all eyes will be on Kamala Harris.

We saw her as vp. We saw her on the Democratic National Convention stage as a historic presidential candidate.

And now, for the first time, he’ll be in a room together with his opponent, Donald Trump, face-to-face of their first presidential debate. At least as much as the candidate can, with their microphones muted after each answer (apologies to fans of Kamala’s high-energy accuser).

While most of the attention will obviously be on Harris, I’ll even have one other group of individuals in the room to maintain an eye fixed on: journalists.

It’s already clear that expectations for Trump’s behavior are so low that if he would simply refrain from extreme personal attacks or Hannibal Lecter-esque outlandish claims, few people might consider him “presidential” or mature.

Some people don’t expect much.

It’s one among the many unlucky consequences of the Trump era. The public has turn out to be so desensitized, numb, even apathetic to the former president’s behavior that even being somewhat less offensive is praised.

A recent New York Times/Sienna poll reported that almost half of respondents felt personally offended by something Trump said or did and would still vote for him.

But even when Trump manages to “be nice” in the debates with Harris tonight, the media has a responsibility to not be charmed by the appearance of presidential leadership.

Journalists on stage have to ask tough questions on Trump’s actual policy plans for the country, not only his complaints.

It’s been easy for Trump to spend most of his time in interviews and at campaign rallies criticizing Joe Biden for being old and the “worst” president, dodging questions on his plans, deflecting attention with complaints about America. But now it’s time to listen to the details — and for Trump to be held accountable for what he’s already said he’ll do.

Mass Deportation of Millions of Undocumented Immigrants? How Exactly Will It Happen?

Deporting “pro-Hamas” students? What law would allow that, and the way does it justify kicking American students out of the country? (Yes, it truly is on his website.)

Defunding schools that are perceived to show “critical race theory” and other “inappropriate” and “racial” content? Who decides and what happens to children in underfunded schools that are found guilty?

In my opinion, Trump will not have real answers, but we will never know if we don’t ask. And if he softens his tone and doesn’t act like a idiot, journalists will need to ask real questions that will reveal this truth.

Similarly, Kamala Harris must also be pressed about her policy plans. The vp has outlined 19 areas of focus on her campaign website, which cover a spread of policy positions from reasonably priced housing and reproductive rights protections to combating the opioid and fentanyl crises.

If reporters asked Vice President Harris what was essential as a substitute of responding to Trump’s petty insults, people could really get to know her and what she stands for.

They simply shouldn’t do that to her while exonerating Trump from responsibility.

Having co-hosted the debate with David Muir by seasoned and revered ABC journalist Linsey Davis, I’m more optimistic that this will occur on stage.

However, journalists and experts observing the event will also participate in the discussion.

Tonight, all media outlets have to hold Donald Trump accountable, not treating him like a standard candidate, but like the candidate he actually is — a convicted former president who tried to overturn the peaceful transition of power and is threatening to vary the government from inside in order that “Christians” now not need to worry about voting.

These are not my opinions — these are facts, proven by his words and actions. And with two months to go until Election Day, every word will matter to assist people resolve who deserves their vote.

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