In light of the significant impact of the U.S. 2024 presidential debate held on June 27, between incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden and his Republican challenger Donald Trump—an event that prompted Biden to withdraw in favor of his vice president, Kamala Harris—the importance of the first debate between Trump and Harris, held on September 10 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and broadcasted on ABC for 90 minutes, becomes clear. This debate is crucial because it may influence the direction of the presidential elections by boosting one candidate’s chances while diminishing the other’s. Though the debate turned into a war of words, full of accusations between the candidates, it revealed complex indicators of a wide range of contradictions, not limited to the electoral scene but enveloping the broader American political landscape.
Growing Importance of the Debate
Although some analyses downplay the impact of debates on the presidential race, other perspectives emphasize their importance as tools that can shape voting behavior, especially among undecided voters. Debates also have the power to enhance or damage the image of a candidate, affecting their chances of victory. According to a joint poll conducted by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, NPR, and PBS, 30% of registered voters said the debate would help them a great deal or to some extent in deciding which candidate to vote for. Thus, the debate between Trump and Harris gains importance in the midst of a fiercely contested race and an American political scene fraught with complex and intertwined issues. The Washington Examiner even described the debate as one of the “most important campaign events in decades.” This can be summarized as follows:
The Role of the First Debate in Toppling Biden
The first debate between Biden and Trump shook Biden’s image and prompted the Democratic camp to reconsider its support for him. The Wall Street Journal commented that Biden faltered in his first direct encounter with Trump, causing his performance to appear “unstable.” Similarly, the New York Times noted that Biden’s struggles during the debate put Trump ahead. According to Politico, the Democrats’ disappointment with Biden’s poor performance during the debate led them to conclude that “it’s time for him to go.” This implies that the debate not only weakened Biden but also contributed to his downfall, showing the extent to which debates can end a candidate’s campaign.
An Opportunity for Harris to Define Herself
Harris was not the Democratic candidate at the start of the presidential race. She was chosen as a result of Biden’s lackluster performance, and therefore, she needs to introduce herself to the American public. The debate provides her with an opportunity to win over voters who are still unfamiliar with her policies, especially given the confusion that has plagued the Democratic Party’s performance, reflected in their initial insistence on backing Biden and then pressuring him to step aside for Harris. The Washington Post noted that Harris needs to introduce herself to the American public and assert that she represents change.
Narrowing Poll Numbers Between the Candidates
While Trump had an edge in polls during his competition with Biden, Harris’ entry into the race has restored balance and intensified the contest. Polls now show a close race between the two candidates. In just a few weeks, Harris has gained significant momentum, reflected in polls that have helped narrow the gap between the Republican and Democratic candidates. The New York Times noted that an analysis of combined poll results shows a “tight race where victory or defeat could go to either candidate.” This suggests that both candidates view the debate as a key tool to sway undecided voters, potentially tipping the scales in their favor in the presidential race.
Verbal Sparring and Exchange of Accusations
Despite the significance of the debate in shaping the candidates’ respective agendas and informing the American public of the policies each would adopt if victorious, the debate between “Harris” and “Trump” quickly devolved into a verbal sparring match and a long exchange of accusations. Before the debate, Harris’ campaign headquarters posted on “X,” stating that “Trump will lie a lot tonight, so we’ll be fact-checking him in real time.” As the debate began, Trump accused the Democratic candidate of being “Marxist,” while Harris responded by saying, “We had to clean up the mess Trump left behind.” The exchange covered a wide range of issues, most notably:
The Economy: Trump claimed to have “created one of the greatest economies in our country” and vowed to “do it again.” Harris countered, saying, “Trump’s plan will increase inflation and lead to a recession,” adding that she has a plan for an “opportunity economy” that includes tax cuts for the middle class. She also promised to address housing costs and support families and small businesses, which Trump dismissed as a “copy of Biden’s economic program.” Harris also referenced Project 2025, describing it as a “detailed and dangerous plan” that Trump would implement if he won.
Abortion: The Republican candidate labeled Democrats as “extremists” on the issue of abortion, claiming that Tim Walz, Harris’ vice-presidential pick, supports late-term abortions. Harris launched an attack on Trump for ending federal abortion rights, pointing to his appointment of three justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. She asserted that “Trump’s abortion policy is an insult to American women,” accusing him of “spreading lies” about the issue.
Immigration and Border Security: Harris blamed Trump for border issues, citing his efforts to sabotage a bipartisan border security bill. Trump, on the other hand, accused Democrats of allowing millions of migrants into the country, leading to lower crime rates globally but higher rates in the U.S. Harris fired back, criticizing Trump’s “criminal history” in response to his claims about “immigrant crimes.”
The Russia-Ukraine War: Harris criticized Trump’s previous positive remarks about Vladimir Putin, claiming, “Putin would be in Kyiv if Trump were president.” She added that dictators worldwide support Trump because they believe they can manipulate him. Trump responded by accusing Harris and Biden of pursuing irresponsible policies toward nuclear-armed Russia, reiterating his plan to end the war, emphasizing his ability to broker a ceasefire. Harris did not provide a future agenda for supporting Ukraine or clarify her position on allowing Ukraine to use long-range U.S. missiles to strike deep into Russia.
The Gaza War: Harris expressed her support for a two-state solution, emphasizing the need to defend Israel’s security while ensuring Palestinian safety. Trump avoided answering the question, instead repeating the claim that Harris and the Democrats “hate Israel” and insisting that conflicts “wouldn’t happen” under his leadership. He warned that Israel would be destroyed within two years if Harris took office. Neither candidate presented a plan to end the war in Gaza or secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The Withdrawal from Afghanistan: When asked about her responsibility for the withdrawal, Harris defended the administration’s decision to end the longest war in U.S. history and criticized Trump for negotiating the initial withdrawal deal with the Taliban, bypassing the Afghan government. Trump defended his record, claiming he sought withdrawal to protect American lives, alleging that the Taliban obtained $85 billion worth of U.S. military equipment due to the hasty withdrawal, calling it “the most embarrassing moment in U.S. history.”
Contradictions Reflected in the Debate
The first debate between Harris and Trump took place in a highly complex landscape filled with interwoven crises and challenges. Thus, it is difficult to separate the debate from the broader context of the fiercely contested presidential race and the exceptional circumstances facing the American model, especially in light of heightened polarization and the shrinking space for moderation in favor of more conservative and progressive extremes. This can be summarized as follows:
“The Spirit of America” vs. “The American Dream”: The debate reflected two completely opposing models of America. Trump, the Republican candidate and former president, adopted a conservative stance advocating for white supremacy as the foundation of the U.S., which he described as reflecting “the spirit of America.” In contrast, Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, embraced a highly progressive agenda that represented the triumph of immigrant communities in America, embodying “the American Dream.” As a woman of mixed-race heritage (Indian and Jamaican), Harris symbolized the U.S. as a nation of citizens and a melting pot where differences can be overcome, and opportunities are available to all. This was evident during the debate, with Harris pledging to be “a president for all Americans,” while Trump accused Democrats of “destroying the fabric of our country,” blaming their immigration policies for rising crime rates. He warned of “national decline,” arguing that Harris’ policies were meaningless since she had been in power with President Biden and achieved none of them.
Trump’s Conservatism vs. Harris’ Progressivism: The debate highlighted two starkly opposing agendas—Trump’s conservative positions and Harris’ progressive stance. Trump promised to cut taxes and criticized Obamacare, saying he would work to replace it. He maintained a hostile attitude toward immigration but adopted a more moderate tone on abortion. Meanwhile, Harris strongly supported abortion rights, pledged to adopt her “opportunity economy” plan, which includes middle-class tax cuts, and promised to address housing costs and support families and small businesses. In her closing remarks, Harris emphasized that she and her Republican opponent had “very different visions” for America, focusing on the future while accusing Trump of being stuck in the past, stating, “We will not go backward. We can chart a new path forward.”
Convicted Candidate vs. Legal Background: The debate presented a unique moment in American political history, featuring a Republican candidate under indictment on a long list of charges and a Democratic candidate with a legal background as a former prosecutor in San Francisco and Attorney General of California. Harris referred to Trump during the debate as a “convicted criminal” responsible for the January 6, 2020, insurrection, as well as earlier events in Virginia in 2017. Trump responded by claiming that the legal cases against him were “weaponized” by his opponents, calling them “fake” and suggesting that an assassination attempt on him was the result of Democratic rhetoric.
In conclusion, the Harris-Trump debate carried significant weight in shaping the course of the presidential race, with both campaigns asserting strong performances. Trump’s campaign hailed the debate as “the best ever,” while Harris’ campaign claimed she “dominated the stage on every issue that matters to the American people.” A CNN and SSRS poll found that Harris outperformed Trump during the debate, surpassing expectations for her performance. However, it remains difficult to gauge the direct impact of the debate on anticipated voting outcomes at the polls.
