Harris Campaign Capitalizes on Debate Clash in New Ad Focused on Abortion Rights

The Kamala Harris campaign is leveraging a notable debate moment in a new ad that will air starting Thursday. This ad capitalizes on a heated exchange between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump during Tuesday’s presidential debate, which Harris’ team views as a crucial turning point.

Prepared specifically to address Trump’s stance on nationwide abortion restrictions, Harris’ team believes their strategy successfully unsettled Trump throughout the rest of the debate. Their aim now is to build on that momentum with a targeted ad campaign in key battleground states, including Arizona and Nevada, where Trump will be campaigning this week.

The ad features excerpts from the debate, highlighting both candidates’ positions on abortion. During the debate, Trump praised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, stating, “I did a great service in doing it. It took courage to do it, and the Supreme Court had great courage in doing it.”

In contrast, Harris shared personal stories of women struggling to obtain health care amid stringent abortion restrictions. “I think the American people believe that certain freedoms, in particular, the freedom to make decisions about one’s own body should not be made by the government,” she countered.

Campaign officials have identified Harris’ response as a standout moment, noting that her recounting of real-life struggles resonated strongly with undecided voters. Internal data suggests that these personal stories, including those of women affected by miscarriages and rape, made a significant impact.

Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Harris-Walz campaign manager, emphasized the importance of abortion rights in the upcoming election. “Abortion is one of the top issues in this election, and the difference between the candidates could not be clearer,” she stated in the announcement of the new ad.

As Harris heads to North Carolina—a pivotal state that President Joe Biden narrowly lost in 2020—her campaign aims to gain ground with voters who may be disillusioned with Trump and controversial GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson. Democratic Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina expressed optimism about Harris’ influence in the state, noting her strong performance in Philadelphia. He believes her focus on abortion rights and health care could be crucial in swaying voters and potentially securing North Carolina for the Democrats for the first time since 2008.

In preparation for the ad campaign, Harris’ team spent Wednesday analyzing debate footage to identify and highlight the most impactful moments. This effort is part of a larger strategy that includes a $370 million investment in digital and television ads from Labor Day until Election Day.

Overall, the Harris campaign is working to capitalize on a debate moment that they view as a significant advantage, aiming to reinforce their stance on abortion rights and appeal to undecided voters in key states.