Politics are not my usual calling, but last night’s 2024 presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is worthy of comment.
The ABC News telecast, originating from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, drew 67.135 million Nielsen viewers, up 30.8 per cent. By comparison, the Trump debate with President Joe Biden in June attracted 51.3 million according to all broadcast and cable simulcast numbers, staged live via CNN.
This morning, Trump was spouting sound bites galore on news shows, that he won the debate “by a lot,” despite laments from GOP dissidents who felt he was “catastrophic” and “a train wreck.”
Might be party bias, but most folks think Harris won. Soundly, not by a whisker.
Harris looked very presidential, in control of her delivery, and swiftly went into combat mode, getting under the skin of her usually bullying opponent, the ex-president, who took the bait over and over like hungry fish, with a sour demeanor of a beaten victim.
She had strategy and a vision; he brought attitude, and a constant scowl.
She had opportunity and a playbook; he had experience, but no trajectory.
Trump lied a lot (fact-checkers counted 33 for him, 1 for Harris), but provided vulgar laughs – especially his unsubstantiated comment that immigrants in Ohio ate cats and dogs.
She had him at hello – when she grasped his hand, then announced expressly for his benefit, “I’m Kamala.” It was a brave and daring move, that surely caught him off-guard, since Trump never uttered or mispronounced her name throughout the debate.
Let’s face it: she won, he lost, but debates don’t win elections; the battle will be decided in the Nov. 5 election.
She looked content and confident, and her prosecutorial experience glowed. She was brutal, but factual, about his legal issues, his palsy ties and adoration of questionable dictators, and his negative reputation among global leaders and former generals previously in his cabinet.
He looked miserable and uncomfortable, unable to name-call or take control. As the oldest candidate (78) now in the race, Trump’s engine is losing gas, looking and acting elderly, tense and disoriented.
Harris repeatedly said, “it’s time to turn the page,” meaning Trump and his MAGA empire should be replaced. No sequel.
However, she still needs to provide more specific details on her plans, which she vows will herald the return of democracy. Clearly, abortion, immigration and the economy are key issues in the election.
That’s your problem ….when it comes to serious 🧐 stuff looks DON’T matter that’s superficial. That’s what ACTORS do. They actually think that the most important quality….looks. Maybe in movies where you portray a President…that’s doesn’t mean you are one or could be one. Trump was President and we saw how he actually did. We were winning in all important areas. People just don’t like his style. Style only matters in Hollywood not in the real world.
Great summary of the debate … you are spot on!