The first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump took place on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, in Philadelphia.
This was a somewhat different debate than the debate that took place between President Joe Biden and Trump in June.
Pundits on both sides of the aisle generally viewed Harris’s performance positively, with many highlighting her ability to remain composed while addressing Trump’s past policies and conduct.
Harris focused on issues like abortion rights, democracy, and the economy. She aimed to challenge Trump on his record, especially on topics like his handling of COVID-19 and election integrity.
Many Democrats felt that Harris successfully exposed Trump’s vulnerabilities.
“There are two very different visions for our country. One that is focused on the future, and the other that is focused on the past,” Harris said.
Conservative reactions to the Harris-Trump debate were mixed.
Some people described the debate as a draw at best and a loss at worst. Several of them told CNN they were stunned that the former president failed to do a better job executing on the talking points he had prepared against Vice President Harris, her record and her policy reversals.
Many conservatives praised Trump for highlighting key issues like inflation, border security, and election integrity. They appreciated his forceful stance on economic matters, claiming that he exposed weaknesses in the Biden-Harris administration’s policies, especially regarding inflation and crime.
However, critics noted that Trump’s performance occasionally veered off-topic, which may have undermined his more potent points. There were also concerns about how he handled certain policy discussions, such as healthcare and foreign relations.
Both Trump and Harris made a series of false statements during the debate.
For instance, Trump made outlandish remarks about migrants.
“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs,” Trump said. “The people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what’s happening in our country and it’s a shame.”
In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for the City of Springfield said: “There have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
Harris said, “And as of today, there is not one member of the United States military who is in active duty in a combat zone in any war zone around the world, the first time this century.”
In fact, the U.S. has more than 3,000 soldiers spread across Iraq and Syria fighting ISIS and providing stability to the region. The U.S. Navy is also operating in the region fighting against the Houthis, another Iranian-backed terrorist group.
Harris won the debate, according to most commentators, including those who identify as Republican.
Her remarks were on point, succinct and made a good argument.
“Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people, so let’s be clear about that, and clearly he is having a very difficult time processing that, but we cannot afford to have a president of the United States who attempts as he did in the past to upend the will of the voters in a free and fair election,” Harris said.
The vice president dug at Trump a little more, saying world leaders were “laughing” at him and calling him a disgrace – language that Trump has employed himself at rallies in reference to how he says other countries view President Biden.
With two months to go to election day, and with polls placing both candidates relatively tied in swing states, this continues to be an interesting election to watch.