‘Trump lost, and it wasn’t shut’
[Donald] Trump misplaced, and it wasn’t shut. [Kamala] Harris was a powerful performer, however I believe I’m nonetheless involved so far as her Israel-Gaza stance. I believe she punted, to be frank. That was a missed alternative for Trump. She was in a position to make appeals to Individuals on each side of the political spectrum, whereas he selected to be the identical previous, standard.
I assumed there could be a restrict to the unwavering loyalty some have for Trump. I used to assume he used his base to leverage management over the wealthy and Republicans in energy. In reality, he’s the idiot of the fitting. Loyalty to nation and loyalty to occasion have by no means been the identical factor in my eyes. I don’t vote a straight ticket.
I voted Democrat in 2020, and was too younger to vote in 2016. If I assumed the whole Democratic occasion was prepared to hurt those who didn’t vote for them in any approach, I might abandon them. I belief Harris greater than what I’ve seen from Trump.
– Tobi, 24, public college instructor, Michigan
‘Kamala just didn’t throw knockout punches’
It was like watching an exhibition boxing bout the place Kamala simply didn’t throw knockout punches. She drew him in time and time once more, however finally didn’t land. The setups have been comparatively spectacular, however she didn’t comply with up with compelling or sufficiently detailed insurance policies or plans. Doing so would have additional demonstrated simply how superior a candidate she actually is. She was on her toes, and had a as soon as effervescent showman wanting like an previous, flat-footed has-been.
I’ll vote for Kamala since you can not vote for the opposition. That mentioned, if I used to be undecided, I’d be extraordinarily involved {that a} candidate who’s already in workplace can not articulate plans to treatment very actual socioeconomic issues that many imagine she is partly answerable for creating. In the event that they debate once more and Trump might land that message for extra than simply his closing remarks, I believe we might see some flashes of what made him compelling to undecided or protest voters.
– Sam Smith, works in tech, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
‘It was a good watch, which was a relief after the last debate’
It was a superb watch, which was a aid after the final debate which made me need to assume the fetal place till November. I assumed Harris did nicely to bait Trump on his non-answers and get him off message – it’s no shock Trump was largely bluster and never a variety of substance.
I do really feel like she was a minimum of in a position to give some substantive solutions round her plan for bettering the financial system, her plan for making life simpler for individuals like me, who’re about to be first-time owners, about to have youngsters, middle-class people who find themselves working. I simply want Harris went into extra specifics about her meant method to points like immigration and Israel-Palestine, which might have made an amazing distinction to Trump’s imprecise and indignant rhetoric.
I voted for [Joe] Biden within the final election, and I intend on voting for Harris this election. I’ve been fairly strong in that camp despite the fact that I’m so annoyed with a two-party system. It astonishes me {that a} vote for a Black and Asian girl proper now represents one thing nearer to sustaining the established order, whereas a vote for an older white man is one thing that feels actually radical and harmful.
– Paul B, 32, content material strategist, Pennsylvania
‘Trump was strong but evaded questions’
Trump was sturdy however evaded questions and his solutions appeared to assist him win an election greater than governing. Harris appeared extra truthful however didn’t differentiate herself extra from Biden’s wins or failures.
She mentioned she isn’t Biden or Trump however then didn’t clearly elucidate how she will be able to transfer Gaza and Ukraine wars to closure. I’m an impartial and first-time voter. I appreciated the financial system underneath Trump however am now leaning in direction of Harris.
– HS, works in consulting, North Carolina
‘Harris showed she can see what America needs at this moment in time’
I assumed Harris undoubtedly received the controversy. She was clear, exact and confirmed she was succesful and prepared to serve the individuals of the US. My thoughts was made up earlier than however Harris confirmed she will be able to see what America wants at this second in time. My favourite second was when she advised Trump that Putin would eat him for lunch. That’s no lie!
As a Republican, I’m actually embarrassed by Trump. He’s not what Republicans are about – I’m conservative as a result of I imagine individuals have to earn what they get. There are individuals who need assistance, however if you happen to’re succesful it’s best to work. The Republican occasion has modified and I’m undecided I need to change with them.
– Ted Kemm, retired industrial engineer, Pennsylvania
‘The handshake – a much-needed effort to return to civil politics’
I assumed it was intense. It drew a transparent distinction between the 2 candidates. Placing apart coverage and partisanship, one candidate was targeted on attacking his opponent and the opposite candidate was speaking to the American individuals, making a powerful effort (whether or not you imagine her or not) that she is usually a president for all Individuals. I believe it fantastically juxtaposed the vitriolic rhetoric of how politics has change into these days (on the fitting) with a return to civility, compassion and unity (on the left).
My favourite second was the handshake. Ignoring the “power dynamics” a part of it, I assumed it was a much-needed effort to return to older, civil politics the place everybody can on the very least shake one another’s arms. I believe the handshake we noticed on the 9/11 memorial may not have occurred if she had not shook his hand on the debate. It’s a strong, unifying gesture that actually must be normalized once more.
My one hope for this debate was that we might see how Harris handles the strain of debating somebody like Trump on a nationwide stage. She general confirmed power and arrested my issues. In 2016 I voted for Trump (first election), in 2020 I voted for Biden and in 2024 I’ll proudly vote for Harris.
– Josh, 27, engineer, North Carolina
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‘I was impressed by how well prepared Harris was’
I assumed this debate highlighted the distinction between the candidates. On one facet, there was a person everyone knows, Trump, who used the identical fearmongering rhetoric and blatant lies to admonish our nation for his private recreation. The road about immigrants consuming pets is an ideal instance of how he’s prepared to embrace misinformation so long as it fits him. He blamed each concern in our nation on migrants.
My favourite second was when Kamala identified that Trump by no means talks about “you”, which is true. He doesn’t speak about wanting issues to be higher for us, and solely talks about making the nation nice in his picture. I additionally cherished how Kamala stored him immediately, then on the digital camera when she was addressing us. Trump couldn’t even have a look at her! She confirmed us how simple it’s to upset him, and the way simple it might be for world leaders to control him with flattery or criticism.
I used to be leaning in direction of Kamala previous to the controversy, as I might by no means vote for Trump. I used to be impressed by her power and the way nicely ready she was. It helped me really feel extra assured about voting for her. My first vote went for [John] McCain. In 2016, I used to be denied voting for Bernie Sanders within the major because of my libertarian voter registration, and I voted for Gary Johnson within the election. I voted for Biden in 2020, and plan to vote for Harris-Walz this 12 months.
– Amber, 35, stay-at-home mother and scholar, Arizona
‘I did not feel Harris did well in the debate’
Opposite to what I learn in all of the media, I didn’t really feel Harris did that nicely within the debate. She stored belittling Trump, whom I don’t notably like, however I discovered it ironic that she did this and made requires all of us to search out unity and transfer on collectively. I didn’t discover her plausible, besides on the subject of abortion, through which I believe she introduced her case convincingly, and in addition on healthcare. She appeared extraordinarily reactive, which isn’t a high quality I search for in a pacesetter.
Trump, then again, didn’t stare at her throughout the exchanges and simply mentioned what was on his thoughts. After this debate, I’m not even certain if I’ll vote for her. I’ll undoubtedly not vote for Trump. I’ve voted Democratic all my life, I’ve additionally labored on the Obama marketing campaign. I’m 67 years previous and I’m considering this is likely to be the primary time that I can’t vote, and that perhaps I received’t vote once more. Politicians on this nation have change into so divisive.
– Alexander Stafford, retired instructor, Georgia
‘Trump saying he has concepts of a plan for healthcare gave me a hearty chuckle’
I believe it was a close to best-case situation for the Harris marketing campaign; whereas I want there have been a few areas the place she would have fleshed out her coverage factors, and higher defined among the areas the place her place has demonstrably modified, I believe a key aim was to supply pushback on the falsehoods that have been expressed within the first debate in addition to to remind voters of who Trump actually is and the chaos of his first time period.
My favourite second was when Trump was pressed for his plans to enhance healthcare within the US together with his response being that after eight years he has “concepts of a plan” – that gave me a hearty chuckle. I voted for Biden in 2020 and was planning on voting for whoever the Democratic candidate was, however the debate made me far more assured in casting that vote particularly for Harris.
– James, 31, works in healthcare, Wisconsin
‘Harris signed, sealed and delivered’
It was robust to observe within the sense that there was at all times this sense of: Is it going to go awry? How is she going to have the ability to deal with that man together with his anger and his insults? I used to be pleased with how she dealt with it.
I’m actually voting for Vice-President Harris. She was poised, clever and most significantly human. She wasn’t a robotic. She had little stumbles or misspoke at instances; nevertheless she got here throughout as real, and was ready however not in a stilted approach.
I hope the controversy managed to influence undecided voters. I’m giving my fellow Individuals a variety of credit score right here, however I’m hoping that they noticed that not solely is he a free, harmful cannon that shouldn’t be president, however that it additionally confirmed that Harris has obtained the seriousness, the maturity, the intelligence and expertise to do that.
Total he sunk his boat and she or he actually raised hers, though she was already doing splendidly. However I believe she signed, sealed and delivered it.
– Suzanne Baker, 65, retired anthropology professor, Michigan
