This is what Harris must do in the debate on Tuesday

Next week’s debate is an opportunity for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris to make her mark and reshape the political terrain for the rest of the campaign.

It’s embarrassing that Donald Trump is so competitive in this election, but it’s the truth. Millions of Americans still have an image of him that contradicts reality: the image of a successful businessman and president and a tough guy on the world stage.

The facts say otherwise, but that’s how a large portion of voters see him. For them, all the other candidates have to prove themselves except him. And since this could be the only debate between Trump and Harris, it’s crucial for them to expose Trump for the charlatan he is.

At the same time, it must strengthen its position in the eyes of convincing voters.

First, this is another chance for Harris to introduce herself to voters who didn’t watch the Democratic Convention. Presidential debates are signature moments that bring new attention to the candidates vying for the commander in chief position. Harris needs to explain who she is and put her personal story in the context of her candidacy.

Harris’s promise to build an “economy of opportunity” underscores her upbringing in a middle-class family. As the daughter of immigrants, Harris knows firsthand the power of the American dream. She also knows the power of hard work. While in college, Harris worked at McDonald’s in the 1980s. This is a small part of her background that reflects the life experience of tens of millions of voters. One in eight Americans has worked under the Golden Arches at some point in their lives, according to a survey by the company.

Second, Harris should be careful about putting herself on stage as a former prosecutor with a criminal. I bet many voters would not take kindly to a full indictment of Trump. Americans want a president, not a prosecutor.

If she’s on stage with a pathological liar, her instinct will be to try to correct him and throw facts at him. That may work to some extent and at certain times, but the trap is remembering that she’s not running for California Attorney General, she’s running for U.S. President. I hope her team stress tests her instincts during debate prep. Voters need to see her as presidential at EVERY MOMENT – a task that can be difficult at times when responding to Trump.

Third, she needs to create a consensus structure so that Republicans, independents and, yes, even some Democrats can vote for her. Her vision of a “new way forward” is easier said than done. Large parts of the country are not on board yet. Instead of just telling us her plans for the future, she needs to show us a vision for the way forward.

An important part is the question, “Do I trust her?” Many voters no longer trust what they see or hear. They don’t have to agree with every aspect of her agenda, but they have to trust that she is fit to be president. This was part of my journey when I endorsed President Joe Biden in 2020. “Do I trust him” to live up to the Constitution and our democracy, even though I disagree with many of his policy proposals? I did. And he did.

By contrast, Trump has other goals Tuesday night. He has won the trust of many people despite his nonsensical tirades, his promises to be a dictator from day one, and his failure to achieve his first-term goals beyond Supreme Court appointments and tax cuts for wealthy individuals. There was not much in his first term, or even now, that appealed to small business owners or the shrinking middle class. This debate is an opportunity for him to show that he has some control of the race and is aware of how politics affects Americans’ lives.

One example is his stance on reproductive rights. Americans don’t trust Trump on abortion. He knows he can’t be absolute on abortion and still win. He’s changed his mind on the issue three times in the last few weeks. He needs to figure out how to approach the issue without alienating moderate voters. But he also knows he has to walk a fine line in doing so so as not to further alienate and anger his Republican base. I suspect he will speak with a forked tongue and let Harris figure out for herself how to avoid getting caught in his web of disinformation.

Overall, the weight of the debate is on the vice president. For most people, Trump is just entertainment, and it’s not fair that they don’t hold him to the same standards. Her job is different and more difficult. But if she does it – and I believe she can – she will pave a path forward in the minds of voters that could well lead to the White House.

For more thought-provoking insights from Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders-Townsend, visit “The weekend” every Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on MSNBC.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com.