As Vice President Kamala Harris prepares for her upcoming debate with former President Donald Trump , echoes of a critical encounter from five years ago with Tulsi Gabbard continue to reverberate. During a Democratic primary debate in 2019, Gabbard's fierce attack on Harris's record as a prosecutor cast a long shadow over Harris's public image and debating prowess.

In that pivotal moment, Gabbard unleashed a series of sharp criticisms, questioning Harris’s transformation from a tough-on-crime prosecutor to a progressive reformer. Gabbard accused Harris of putting over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughing when asked about her own past marijuana use. She also criticized Harris for allegedly blocking evidence that could have exonerated an innocent man on death row and for keeping people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor.

Tulsi's attack was a blow to Harris 

The attack was a significant blow to Harris, who had previously gained attention for her incisive questioning of Republicans and her memorable confrontation with Joe Biden over school desegregation policies. The debate with Gabbard revealed vulnerabilities in Harris's ability to defend herself against a well-prepared opponent, contributing to a perception of her as a politician who might shift positions based on political convenience.

Since that debate, Harris has faced both scrutiny and praise for her performance. Some of her allies and former aides believe that she has grown as a debater, citing her widely acclaimed performance against Mike Pence in the 2020 election cycle as evidence of her improved skills. This past success has been seen as a sign of her ability to engage effectively in high-stakes debates, learning from past criticisms.

Here is what you need to know

As Harris prepares to face Trump for the first time in a debate on Tuesday, the memory of her clash with Gabbard could play a significant role. The outcome of this debate may hinge on which version of Harris shows up: the one who struggled under Gabbard’s scrutiny or the one who impressed with her performance against Pence.

This upcoming debate is more than just a test of Harris’s debating skills; it’s an opportunity to address lingering doubts about her ability to handle tough challenges and to demonstrate growth and resilience. As the debate approaches, all eyes will be on whether Harris can effectively counter Trump while overcoming the shadows cast by her past encounters.

Interestingly enough, Tulsi Gabbard, who was a Democrat, has endorsed Trump and some reports suggest that she is even helping Trump with the debate prep.