Staff Reports
Vice President Kamala Harris managed to grab the spotlight during the second presidential debate, held in Philadelphia, all while seemingly dodging the big issues that haunt her and President Biden’s administration. Instead of focusing on her own record, Harris deftly steered the conversation toward former President Donald Trump, thanks to the moderators at ABC News, who practically fawned over her efforts to fact-check and debate Trump. It was like watching a high school debate team face off against a seasoned politician, with the moderators almost acting as cheerleaders for Harris.
Democrats, ever convinced that they can win by making any election a referendum against Trump, seem to be leaning heavily on this strategy. Rather than evaluating the disaster that has been the Biden-Harris administration, they want voters to see their choice as solely between Trump and themselves. This is a clever maneuver that tries to avoid a full accounting of the administration’s floundering policies. The previous debate had showcased President Biden’s struggles with coherent speech, making it an event that many would argue was more one-sided than the average sporting event—unless, of course, one is a fan of watching a train wreck in slow motion.
Wow, read between the lines – the moderators did their best to rig it for Harris. I heard nothing from Harris except hot air about hopes and dreams. And not much from Trump either, who had opportunities to insert dialogue about the economy and the existential Govt debt load. https://t.co/I1yw4HHIwG
— Dave Kranzler (@InvResDynamics) September 11, 2024
With Biden now out of the race within a month of the last debate, Harris is relishing her new role at the top of the Democratic ticket. She even tried to outwit Trump by asserting that he was running against her, not the aging president. Trump, naturally, didn’t let that stand, reminding everyone that Harris is simply an extension of Biden—a fact many Americans already recognize.
The aftermath of the debate leaves a mixed bag regarding its impact on the election. Trump’s well-known persona and extensive political history might allow him to shrug off claims of bias from the moderators, while Harris seems to be still trying to solidify her place in the minds of voters. She focused on attacking Trump’s temperament and record, while also trying to convince everyone that her almost-60 year-old self represents a refreshing change from her boss and Trump. Meanwhile, Trump appeared increasingly exasperated as the debate progressed, likely realizing that the best course of defense is a good offense—but only if he could remember to stay on the right subject.
The debate format felt notably different than the first, as ABC allowed for more interaction between the candidates, although this time Trump appeared more vulnerable. He had some good digs at Harris’s past policies and pointed out her lack of accomplishments during her tenure as vice president. However, despite his comedic flair and attempts to pivot the focus, he often found himself drawn back into discussions about the 2020 election rather than tackling important issues facing the nation in 2024. It’s as if he was playing a game of political chess, but someone had swapped the pieces while he wasn’t looking.
With the midterm elections looming and the race tightening since Harris’ ascension to the top of the ticket, another spotlight debate could be around the corner, including potential showdowns with her Republican counterparts. However, it remains to be seen whether Harris can maintain her newfound spotlight or whether Trump will find a way to turn the tables back in his favor for future encounters. The challenge for Harris will be maintaining that domestic narrative while avoiding accountability for the Biden administration’s many missteps.
