In the lead-up to their highly anticipated debate on Tuesday, former President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have shifted their focus away from campaigning, leaving surrogates to rally support on Sunday. A recent national poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College has shown that the race remains extremely close, adding further significance to the upcoming clash.

As both candidates prepare for the debate, their respective allies are taking on active roles on the campaign trail. Doug Emhoff, Ms. Harris's husband, will be campaigning in Pennsylvania, while Senator JD Vance of Ohio, Trump's running mate, heads to a fundraiser in Los Angeles.

The newly released national poll shed light on the state of the race as the debate draws near. Trump continues to maintain a strong base of support, while Harris faces an important task of reaching voters who still require more information about her. The close race underscores the importance of Tuesday's debate in shaping public perception and swaying undecided voters.

Looking beyond the debate, the Harris campaign has announced plans for a post-debate tour of battleground states. Vice President Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, will visit key states such as North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has been engaging in "policy time," as his team calls it, honing his message and strategy for the remainder of the campaign.

Former Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, a prominent anti-Trump Republican who has officially endorsed Vice President Harris, took the opportunity to criticize Republicans who remain loyal to the former president. Cheney accused those backing Trump, including former Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina, of betraying both conservative principles and the Constitution. She warned that another Trump presidency would lead to an "unrecoverable disaster" for the country.

In response, Nikki Haley expressed her readiness to campaign for Trump despite her reservations about him as a candidate. She acknowledged the ease of choosing between Trump and Harris, emphasizing policy positions that aligned with her views.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont commented on the ideological stance of Vice President Harris, acknowledging her pragmatic approach and potential shift from previously held positions on universal healthcare and fracking. Sanders stated his belief that Harris aims to make strategic decisions in order to secure victory in the election.

In a social media post, former President Trump escalated his rhetoric by threatening legal action against individuals involved in what he deemed as "unscrupulous behavior" related to voting in the upcoming election. The remark further exemplifies the intensity surrounding this election and the potential consequences at stake.

The Harris campaign released a television ad focusing on abortion, reminding voters that Trump had taken credit for helping overturn Roe v. Wade. This advertisement seeks to appeal to voters for whom abortion is a top priority issue.

During a speech in Wisconsin, Mr. Trump pledged to reshape the federal bureaucracy, vowing to dismantle the Department of Education, redirect the Justice Department's efforts, and remove civil servants responsible for implementing Biden administration policies that Trump disagrees with. This promise demonstrates his commitment to an overhaul of the current system.

In recent polling, Democratic arguments against Project 2025 have gained traction among voters. While most respondents disapprove of the policies proposed under this initiative, many still expect Trump to enact some or most of them, despite attempts to distance himself.

The divisions within the Republican party were highlighted by the endorsements of Vice President Harris by Liz Cheney and former Vice President Dick Cheney. Both expressed concern for the democratic principles at stake and criticized Trump's policies as contradictory to conservative values.

As the campaign unfolds, prominent Republicans such as Jimmy McCain, son of the late Senator John McCain, have publicly rejected Trump and pledged support for Vice President Harris. This growing chorus of dissent within the party underscores the deep divisions and differing perspectives within the Republican ranks.

With just days remaining until the election, the upcoming debate between Trump and Harris carries immense significance. It serves as a pivotal moment to sway undecided voters and shape the trajectory of what is clearly a closely contested race.