Right-wingers online were quick to take jabs at Vice President Kamala Harris for appearing to have a dry throat at the start of her first debate against former President Donald Trump. “Kottonmouth Kamala,” quipped one critic. “Does she have cottonmouth?” echoed another user on X.

When President Joe Biden gave bumbling remarks about abortion on the debate stage this summer, it was widely viewed as a missed opportunity — a failure, even — on a powerful and motivating issue for Democrats at the ballot box.

Along with holding her own against Trump, Harris has to also use the debate to introduce herself to those voters who feel they don’t know her