TheGavel: In a heated and combative presidential debate on Tuesday, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris put her Republican rival Donald Trump on the defensive, attacking his fitness for office, support of abortion restrictions, and legal woes. Harris, a former prosecutor, controlled the debate from the start, getting under Trump’s skin and prompting a visibly angry response.
Harris goaded Trump by saying that people often leave his campaign rallies early “out of exhaustion and boredom.” Trump responded with a false claim about immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, which has circulated on social media.
The debate was light on specific policy details, but Harris’ forceful approach succeeded in putting the focus on Trump, leaving her allies jubilant and some Republicans acknowledging Trump’s struggles.
Trump repeated his false claim that his 2020 election defeat was due to fraud, called Harris a “Marxist,” and asserted falsely that migrants have caused a violent crime spree. Harris criticized Trump over his criminal conviction for covering up hush money payments to a porn star and his other indictments.
Harris delivered a lengthy attack on abortion limits, speaking passionately about women denied emergency care and victims of incest unable to terminate their pregnancies due to statewide bans. She also claimed Trump would support a national ban, which Trump denied.
The candidates exchanged barbs over the economy, with Harris attacking Trump’s intention to impose high tariffs on foreign goods and Trump criticizing Harris for the persistent inflation during the Biden administration’s term.
The candidates also clashed over immigration, foreign policy, and healthcare, but neither offered specifics on how they would address these issues.
In a boost to the Harris campaign, pop megastar Taylor Swift announced her support for Harris and her running mate Tim Walz on Instagram, saying “childless cat lady,” a reference to controversial remarks made by Trump’s vice presidential candidate, Senator JD Vance.
Online prediction market PredictIt’s 2024 presidential general election market showed Trump’s likelihood of victory declining during the debate, to 47% from 52%. Harris’ odds improved to 55% from 53%.
In a sign of confidence, Harris’ campaign challenged Trump to a second debate in October. Trump afterwards told reporters, “This was my best debate,” but added, “I have to think about it, but if you won the debate, I sort of think maybe I shouldn’t do it. Why should I do another debate?”
The debate got underway with a surprise handshake between the two opponents, who had never met before. Harris approached Trump at his lectern, introducing herself by name, in what was the first handshake at a presidential debate since 2016.
Presidential debates do not necessarily change voters’ minds, but they can be deeply consequential. In a contest that could again come down to tens of thousands of votes in a handful of states, even a small shift in public opinion could alter the outcome. (NAN)
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