Dana Bash says you’d better tune into Debate #2 next week … ’cause it’s going to matter a lot as the 2024 presidential election creeps closer — especially to younger voters.

The CNN host chatted with Harvey and Charles on “TMZ Live” Friday … and, while some people aren’t convinced this debate’s going to matter in the long run, Dana says it’ll give some undecided voters a chance to really get a sense of who these candidates are.

Dana knows Donald Trump‘s performance may not sway his standing with voters … but, she notes some younger voters may not remember his first term as president — and, this debate may give them greater clarity on the kind of president he’ll be.

As for whether it’s more important than the debate in June which she herself moderated … DB’s not convinced — ’cause Joe Biden‘s “cataclysmic” performance killed his re-election campaign, and kept DJT from a potential landslide victory, as Trump now faces Kamala Harris.

Bash has some good advice for Tuesday’s moderators, too.

Dana also tells us about her new book, “America’s Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History” … watch the clip through to the end to hear about a local 1872 election and how it changed the fate of the country forever.