By Seyi Gesinde
September 11, 2024
In a highly anticipated debate on September 10, 2024, Kamala Harris outperformed Donald Trump, showcasing her debate prowess and effectively challenging her opponent on key issues.
Media outlets widely recognized Harris as the clear winner, with a CNN poll indicating that 63% of viewers felt she performed better than Trump, who garnered only 37% support.
Throughout the 90-minute debate, Harris maintained composure while directly addressing the audience, contrasting her clear policy proposals with Trump’s defensive and often angry responses.
She successfully baited Trump into reacting emotionally, particularly on topics like abortion and immigration, which highlighted his lack of a coherent plan for the future.
Commentators described Harris’s performance as a “masterclass,” emphasising her ability to articulate a vision for working Americans while Trump struggled to pivot away from personal grievances and past controversies.
This debate marks a significant shift in the electoral landscape as Harris positions herself as a formidable candidate ahead of the November elections.
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The Harris-Trump debate covered a range of crucial issues, with both candidates aiming to sway undecided voters ahead of the November election. Here are some of the key topics that were extensively discussed:
Economy and Inflation
– Harris challenged Trump on his proposal for extensive tariffs and the trade deficit during his presidency.
– Trump criticized Harris for inflation, claiming it was the worst in U.S. history, despite being inaccurate.
– Harris asserted that Trump’s trade tariffs would act like a sales tax on the middle class.
Abortion Rights
– Harris passionately defended abortion rights, contrasting with President Biden’s remarks in the previous debate.
– She vividly illustrated the struggles women face with medical complications and difficult decisions regarding abortion.
– Trump defended overturning Roe v. Wade, claiming it took courage, but struggled with factual accuracy.
Immigration
– Trump launched into an extended commentary on a discredited claim about Haitian immigrants in Ohio.
– Harris suggested Americans should attend a Trump rally to witness people leaving early out of “exhaustion and boredom.”
Foreign Policy
– Harris skillfully redirected the conversation to Trump’s dealings with Taliban leaders and his invitation to them at Camp David.
Abortion Bans and Trump’s Role
– Harris referred to states with abortion bans as having “Trump abortion bans.”
– She accused Trump of dictating what women could do with their own bodies.
Capitol Insurrection and Democracy
– Harris quickly accused Trump of overseeing the most severe assault on American democracy since the Civil War, referring to the January 6th Capitol insurrection.
The debate showcased stark ideological differences between the candidates, with Harris advocating for middle-class tax cuts and climate action, while Trump focused on immigration and economic policies reminiscent of his previous administration.
Harris’s performance was widely praised, with commentators describing it as a “masterclass” in debate strategy, effectively putting Trump on the defensive and challenging him on various issues.
