The stakes for tomorrow night's presidential debate could not be higher as Vice President Kamala Harris faces off against former President Donald Trump.

The debate, hosted by ABC News at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center, will begin at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 10. With Pennsylvania's 19 electoral votes at stake and current polls showing Harris and Trump tied in this key battleground state, the debate's potential impact on the election cannot be overstated.

I was concerned about Donald Trump’s naked threats to repeat what he did in the first debate against Biden, so I jotted down some key points I’d be telling Kamala Harris to prepare for the debate. I’ve been an executive producer for 30 years, many on network TV, so this is a production-savvy list:

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My advice to Kamala Harris on the eve of the debate:

1. Trump's threat is real. View the entire production as potentially hostile. Take nothing for granted and trust no one. Be prepared for anything. Bring your own water.

2. Record the event independently. Position your trusted technicians in audio, video, the control room, and master control to oversee the entire production.

3. Insist on a full tech rehearsal and record it, too. Protect the integrity of the debate and ensure fair representation.

4. Have a playbook that can ignore Trump if necessary. His shtick is unpredictability - don't let it control you. Stay focused on your mission.

5. You have three critical missions:

   1. Introduce yourself and your fresh, positive approach.

   2. Expose Trump's corruption and the looming threat.

   3. Paint your positive vision for America's future.

6. Don't sweat details or fact-checks. This is not a memory test. If you have too many facts to remember, they will overwhelm you. You're painting a picture, not completing a spreadsheet.

7. Only one person matters the individual voter at home. If the situation becomes overwhelming, shut everyone out except that viewer and tell him or her why they should vote for you.

8. Debates show who you are, not just what you know. Let your passion for serving America shine through. Authenticity matters.

9. Stay true to yourself. Your strength is in your vision, integrity, and ability to connect. You love this country.

10. Smile. It's infectious. Even if it's a serious topic, keep a #smile.

Harris’s challenge.

As we approach this pivotal moment in the 2024 election, all eyes will be on Harris and Trump. The debate format, with muted microphones and strict time limits, adds another layer of complexity to an already high-pressure situation. Harris must navigate these challenges while presenting herself as a capable leader ready for the presidency.

I will be live on Narativ tomorrow night after the debate.

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