Ahead of the highly anticipated presidential debate between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Senator John Fetterman, both Democrats, have expressed their concerns and offered advice to the vice president. The debate, set to take place on Tuesday on the ABC News stage, has garnered significant attention as Americans closely follow this crucial showdown in Philadelphia.

The stakes are high as the nation waits to see how Harris, who will be facing Trump for the first time in a debate, performs under pressure. The significance of this event has been emphasized due to President Joe Biden's lackluster debate performance against Trump in Atlanta back in June which raised concerns about his age and ability to contend with the Republican nominee. This led to internal discussions within the Democratic Party, with some urging Biden to step aside to allow for the selection of a new nominee.

However, on July 21, Biden ended his reelection campaign and threw his support behind Harris, making her the Democratic presidential nominee. Since then, Harris has been actively campaigning and officially accepted the party's nomination at the Democratic National Convention on August 22.

In a recent interview on CNN's State of the Union, Buttigieg acknowledged Harris' focus and discipline but warned that dealing with Trump in a debate would require extraordinary concentration. He highlighted Trump's skill in turning debates into a show solely centered around himself, rather than focusing on policy explanations or ideas that resonate with the American people. "The less we are talking about him [Trump] and the more we are talking about you [Harris], the better it's going to be for the vice president," Buttigieg stated.

Echoing Buttigieg's sentiments, Fetterman also appeared on CNN's State of the Union and expressed confidence in Harris' abilities while acknowledging Trump's prowess as a debater. He emphasized that the debate's outcome may not be definitive and that the ultimate decision would come down to a close choice between the two candidates.

In response to the Democrats' remarks, Trump's spokesperson Steven Cheung issued a statement to Newsweek, targeting Harris and pointing to polling in battleground states. Cheung highlighted voters' desire for a return to pro-America policies and framed Harris' policies as weak, failed, and dangerously liberal.

According to polling averages by The New York Times/Siena College and FiveThirtyEight, Harris holds narrow leads or is tied with Trump in several critical battleground states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona.

Fetterman, who has previously warned Harris about the challenges of winning Pennsylvania, emphasized the importance of key counties like Erie and Bucks in determining the election results. The state's 19 electoral votes and its status as a traditionally competitive state make it a significant battleground.

As the upcoming debate approaches, all eyes will be on Harris and Trump as they present their visions for the nation. The outcome of this debate could play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of the presidential campaign, as both candidates strive to secure the presidency.

Update 9/8/24, 5:59 p.m. ET: Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, responded to the Democrats' warnings with a statement emphasizing Trump's strength in polling in battleground states.