I am a leader who believes in what is possible - Kamala Harris 'borrows' Bawumia's slogan at US presidential debate

The possibility mantra of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was featured prominently in last night's fiery US presidential debate when US Vice President and Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, used it to emphasize her vision for America.

The tempestuous 90-minute debate showcased many similarities with Ghana's current political terrain and the ongoing campaign for December's presidential election.

First, just as in Ghana, the sitting Vice President, Harris, is locking horns with a former President, Trump, who lost the election as a sitting President; just as Ghana's sitting Vice President, Bawumia, is facing former President Mahama, who has lost the last two general elections.

The debate was largely a battle of records, with Vice President Harris exposing and attacking the record of former President Trump, which she said was the reason why "81 million Americans fired him as President."

Similarly, Vice President Bawumia has forcefully turned the campaign in Ghana about records and has often exposed and compared what he calls the inferior records of former President Mahama and that of the present government in many sectors.

Another similarity was the issue of inconsistencies in crucial national policies. For example, just as with Free SHS in Ghana, Harris accused Trump of inconsistencies on abortion rights, as Trump appeared to move away from his original position of a total ban.

The abortion debate in the US election is just like the Free SHS here, which former President Mahama is also attempting to move away from his known position of being anti-Free SHS, with the 2024 election in sight.

During the debate, former President Trump tried to pin down Vice President Harris to the Biden administration on some contentious issues. But Harris, while she staunchly defended the Biden administration of which she serves as Vice President, was also strong in stressing her own vision and policies she will implement as President.

Again, this has been a familiar feature in Ghana with Vice President Bawumia, who continues to defend what he often presents as the "superior record" of the NPP over the Mahama NDC administration, while also presenting his own vision and policies, which he will implement as President.

Interestingly, Harris borrowed a line from Bawumia’s possibility slogan during the debate, as she hit back at Trump, who attacked her policies.

After listing a number of new policies she has for the American people, Harris said she's the new page for America and urged Americans not to "turn back the page," referring to Trump.

"I am a leader who believes in what is possible," she added, in a powerful statement, which resonates with Bawumia's possibility mantra in Ghana.

Watch the latest episode of Everyday People on GhanaWeb TV below: