Donald Trump's Night Unfolded — in the Most Unfavorable Way
Kamala Harris clearly emerged victorious in the debate. Here’s what to keep an eye on going forward.
TroibNews 
Before the debate, there was a general consensus: While Donald Trump was a known quantity to voters, many were still curious about Kamala Harris and her aspirations for the presidency. This sentiment offered a glimmer of hope for Democrats disheartened by recent polls—it suggested Harris had potential to expand her appeal as she became better known.
So, did the debate serve its purpose for her?
The outcomes of the debate can be summarized in three key points: Harris greatly enhanced her image; Trump reinforced existing doubts among those who are skeptical of him; and whether Trump will experience any political fallout remains an open question. If he emerges unscathed, it could indicate his peculiar resilience to the ups and downs of political life.
During the event, Harris was on target, articulating her vision effectively, which might have left some wondering if she had technological assistance. She effectively communicated her policies on reducing housing costs, providing tax breaks for new parents, her stance on not banning fracking, and owning a firearm.
Moreover, Harris turned the tables on Trump spectacularly. Her campaign had cleverly laid traps for Trump, which he not only sprung but added to himself, creating numerous gaffes.
Trump's extended speaking time is unlikely to be criticized by Harris' team, who might have preferred it that way.
Harris cleverly provoked Trump by commenting on people leaving his rallies due to boredom, triggering him to boast about his crowd sizes and bizarrely segue into incendiary remarks about undocumented immigrants.
Harris also anticipated Trump playing his usual cards. When she mentioned Trump being "fired by 81 million voters," she knew it would lead him to revisit conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. She strategically positioned him to expose his controversial stances on international relations, particularly with Russia and Ukraine, underscoring the potential geopolitical risks of his reelection.
Visually, Harris also outmaneuvered Trump, initiating a handshake at the beginning of the debate and confidently engaging with him during the discussion, contrasting Trump's forward-facing demeanor with her more dynamic presence.
Post-debate, reactions from Trump's base can likely be gauged by their criticism towards the moderators, who were seen as challenging Trump more than Harris. This might reflect the differing veracity of statements from the two candidates, although Harris was not pressed on her shifting positions on several issues.
Observers will also watch whether GOP dismay is profound enough to explore replacing Trump, reminiscent of discussions after past controversies. However, Trump's firm grip on the Republican Party remains evident, with plausible prospects for reelection despite the debate's setbacks.
Moving forward, tracking poll shifts will be crucial, though the ultimate verdict will come on Election Day. The debate could determine if Harris needs to pursue different strategies to appeal to the remaining undecided voters in a deeply divided electorate.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
So, did the debate serve its purpose for her?
The outcomes of the debate can be summarized in three key points: Harris greatly enhanced her image; Trump reinforced existing doubts among those who are skeptical of him; and whether Trump will experience any political fallout remains an open question. If he emerges unscathed, it could indicate his peculiar resilience to the ups and downs of political life.
During the event, Harris was on target, articulating her vision effectively, which might have left some wondering if she had technological assistance. She effectively communicated her policies on reducing housing costs, providing tax breaks for new parents, her stance on not banning fracking, and owning a firearm.
Moreover, Harris turned the tables on Trump spectacularly. Her campaign had cleverly laid traps for Trump, which he not only sprung but added to himself, creating numerous gaffes.
Trump's extended speaking time is unlikely to be criticized by Harris' team, who might have preferred it that way.
Harris cleverly provoked Trump by commenting on people leaving his rallies due to boredom, triggering him to boast about his crowd sizes and bizarrely segue into incendiary remarks about undocumented immigrants.
Harris also anticipated Trump playing his usual cards. When she mentioned Trump being "fired by 81 million voters," she knew it would lead him to revisit conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. She strategically positioned him to expose his controversial stances on international relations, particularly with Russia and Ukraine, underscoring the potential geopolitical risks of his reelection.
Visually, Harris also outmaneuvered Trump, initiating a handshake at the beginning of the debate and confidently engaging with him during the discussion, contrasting Trump's forward-facing demeanor with her more dynamic presence.
Post-debate, reactions from Trump's base can likely be gauged by their criticism towards the moderators, who were seen as challenging Trump more than Harris. This might reflect the differing veracity of statements from the two candidates, although Harris was not pressed on her shifting positions on several issues.
Observers will also watch whether GOP dismay is profound enough to explore replacing Trump, reminiscent of discussions after past controversies. However, Trump's firm grip on the Republican Party remains evident, with plausible prospects for reelection despite the debate's setbacks.
Moving forward, tracking poll shifts will be crucial, though the ultimate verdict will come on Election Day. The debate could determine if Harris needs to pursue different strategies to appeal to the remaining undecided voters in a deeply divided electorate.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
