PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE, Sept. 10.
The Harris/Trump Presidential Debate was held on Sept. 10, in Philadelphia, hosted by ABC News and moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis. 67 million people watched live; countless more saw it other ways. (Image credits: ABC News for the logo; AFP/Getty for the handshake; NYTimes for all the rest.)
Who won? Kamala Harris, no question. Early polling says so; a CNN flash poll found Harris won by a 2 to 1 margin, and later polling was even more in Harris’ favor. The commentators and analysts say so. Even Trump’s allies say so. One pundit remarked that people watching ON MUTE would have known Trump was getting beaten up, bigtime.
What happened AFTER the debate? Well, in under 30 minutes, Taylor Swift issued a detailed and glowing endorsement of the Harris/Walz ticket (mentioning that Trump recently faked her endorsement of him via AI and signing off as “Childless Cat Lady”). She did it on Instagram, where she has 283 million followers; her post got over 1 million likes in just 10 minutes. She included a custom link for voter registration that got over 400,000 hits in the first 24 hours; starting the next day, registration centers nationwide reported record numbers of youngish people showing up to register to vote in the election.
MY TAKE: Bravo, Kamala!
—Harris won the debate before a word was said, when she strode across to Trump’s side of the platform, offered her hand to him and clearly enunciated: “KAmala Harris.” From that moment on, Harris was in charge, making her case on policy and the issues while reassuring the nation with smiles, competence and decency. All night, Trump was angry, absurd and out of control; he never recovered. Watch that first minute of the debate with the handshake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRF8xxVaV6Y
–Trump imploded repeatedly and on several issues. As the NYTimes aptly noted: Harris set traps. Trump leaped into them. So many traps, and Trump self-destructed messily every time. Early on, Harris suggested that people attend a Trump rally, to see how lame his performance is these days—to the extent that attendees leave early out of boredom and disgust. Boom! Another trap was Harris contrasting her working-class background with Trump’s multi-million dollar inheritance and multiple bankruptcies. Bang! Another volcanic reaction came when Harris explained that world leaders she deals with regularly aren’t just anti-Trump—they mock him as pathetically simple and easily manipulated with flattery and favor. Plus—Harris refused to let Trump get away with saying he won the 2020 election, correcting him: “You were fired by 81 million people.” THAT provoked a fiery reaction. And, Harris noted that Trump killed the bipartisan border bill, for his own benefit, neatly defusing all of his immigration fake-outs. She talked about reproductive rights a lot, and it was always “Trump’s abortion ban.” Harris scored several more points, as well—enough to propel Trump into doing something unheard of post-debate: he forced his way into the “Spin Room,” where the 2 candidate teams work with journalists writing and filing articles. Trump (and his Secret Service team) just stood there, adrift, looking for people willing to say he was amazing and listen to his lies; there were few takers. He spewed senseless numbers from fake polling favoring him, and assured everyone: “It was the best debate I’ve ever had.” Well, someone had to say it, I guess. In reality, Harris conducted a master class in debating a misogynistic, racist, lying sociopath who also has advanced dementia.
–Harris remained calm, collected and confident. She was prepared and informed, frequently referencing her current experiences in the White House and abroad. While Trump flailed, she turned and watched him as one would a performing monkey, often with a head tilt, clasped hands and/or a slight frown. Other times, she projected concern that Trump is clearly unwell, or disappointment, her body language making that “Old, tired playbook” comment for her. Harris smiled a lot, shaking her head at Trump’s lies and excesses, often mouthing “That is not true.” Once, she laughed at Trump when he spouted nonsense—a real and happy laugh. On rebuttal, she noted a few times how “extreme” Trump is. When Trump attacked her, she easily shifted into offensive mode, utilizing her many years as a prosecutor—polite, incisive and devastating. Trump had no defense. Harris made her important points, and she was passionate on themes like protecting democracy and the truth of Jan. 6. Over and over, Trump interrupted and demanded rebuttal time that was not part of the agreed format; Harris just shook her head with a smile and let him go. As a result, Trump got 5 minutes more speaking time that Harris; he spoke 39 times, to her 23. And every time, he reminded the nation of exactly who he is and buried himself deeper in his own dreck. Harris appeared presidential; Trump came across as a deranged bully.
–In the best campaign move of the night, Harris pointed out to the 800,000 Polish Americans living in Pennsylvania (a crucial swing state and the location of the debate) that Trump’s pro-Putin posture would doom Ukraine if he got back in office. And, once Russia held Ukraine, Poland would be the next target.
–One running mate was thrown under the bus. Trump: “I didn’t discuss it with JD.” That is how Trump denied Vance’s assurance last week that Trump would veto a national abortion ban.
–Trump was perpetually scowling, twisting his mouth in unattractive ways (he looked like The Joker being tortured), his body slumped into a perpetual defensive crouch. Soon, his face was sweaty, and his shirt looked damp. His tone was uniformly belligerent, often slipping into hysteria. Trump never looked at Harris; he seemed afraid to do so. He refused to provide policy specifics. He ignored the actual questions, returning to the same ludicrous and debunked points on immigration, crime and inflation instead. The moderators called him on that, correcting his most hyperbolic allegations (on post-birth abortion and Haitians eating pets in Ohio) with current law and official statements that contradicted him. Trump attacked the absent Pres. Biden over and over, incoherent and aggrieved; clearly, he had crafted barbs against his long-time nemesis and was determined to use them. With Harris standing there instead—20 years younger, optimistic and brimming with life, Trump only made himself look old, decrepit and defeated.
Overall, the debate was darkness dispelled by light, the past replaced with current reality and a bright vision for the future. Lies, grievance and bullying vs. decency, smiles and competence. Immediately afterward, the Harris campaign challenged Trump to set another debate, as winners do…. Like any loser would, Trump said he’d have to think about it; on Sept. 12, Trump declined to participate in another debate.
HARRIS QUOTES
–“Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people. And clearly he is having a very difficult time processing that.”
–“Perhaps we do not have in the candidate to my right [Trump] the temperament or ability not to be confused by facts.”
–“Talk about extreme [laughing].”
–“You’re not running against Joe Biden. You’re running against me.”
–“If Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kiev right now with his eyes on the rest of Europe. Starting with Poland. [Turning toward Trump] And why don’t you tell the 800,000 Polish Americans right here in Pennsylvania how quickly you would give up, for the sake of favor and what you think is a friendship with a known dictator who would eat you for lunch?”
–“I’m going to actually do something really unusual. I’m going to invite everyone to attend one of Donald Trump’s rallies. Because it’s a really interesting thing to watch. You will see, during the course of his rallies, he talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter. He will talk about windmills causing cancer. What you will also notice is that people start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom. And I will tell you, the one thing you will not hear him talk about is you. You will not hear him talk about your needs, your dreams and your desires. And I’ll tell you, I believe you deserve a president who actually puts you first.’
–“It is very well known that Donald Trump is weak and wrong on national security and foreign policy. It is well known that he admires dictators, wants to be a dictator on day one, according to himself. It is absolutely well known that these dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again because they’re so clear, they can manipulate you with flattery and favors.”
–“World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump. I have talked with military leaders, some of whom worked with you. And they say you are a disgrace. Understand what it would mean if Trump were back in the White House with no guardrails.”
–“One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that the government and Donald Trump, certainly, should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.”
–“Nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion. That is not happening. It’s insulting to the women of America.”
–“I think this [Trump complaining about the crime rate] is so rich. Coming from someone who has been prosecuted for national security crimes, economic crimes, election interference, has been found liable for sexual assault, and his next big court appearance is in November at his own criminal sentencing.”
–“I will always give Israel the ability to defend itself, in particular, as it relates to Iran and any threat that Iran and its proxies pose to Israel. But we must have a two-state solution, where we can rebuild Gaza, where the Palestinians have security, self-determination, and the dignity they so rightly deserve.”
–“You’ve heard tonight two very different visions for our country. One that is focused on the future, and the other that is focused on the past and an attempt to take us backward. But we’re not going back. And I believe the American people know that we all have so much more in common than what separates us, and we can chart a new way forward.”
TRUMP QUOTES
–“She is Biden, she is Biden.”
–“She doesn’t have a plan. She copied Biden’s plan, and it’s like four sentences like, ‘Run Spot, Run.’”
–“I’ll give you a little secret. He [Biden] hates her. He can’t stand her.”
–“I had nothing to do with that [the Jan. 6 insurrection] other than they asked me to make a speech.”
–Responding to a question about how he would replace Obamacare (which provides health care to over 45 million Americans): “I have concepts of a plan.”
–“She hates Israel. If she is president, I believe that Israel will not exist within two years from now.”
–“I probably took a bullet to the head because of the things that they say about me.” [Something grazed the tip of his ear; he was not struck in the head.]
–“They [immigrants] are taking over the towns. They’re taking over buildings. They’re going in violently. These are the people that she and Biden let into our country. And they’re destroying our country. They are dangerous. They’re at the highest level of criminality, and we have to get them out. We have to get them out fast.”
–“In Springfield [Ohio], they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.” [After being fact-checked by the host, quoting Springfield officials denying this had ever happened, Trump cited his source.] “Well, I’ve seen people on television! The people on television say my dog was taken and used for food.” [And we all know what channel Trump was watching.]
–“We’re a failing nation, being laughed at all over the world. … We’re going to end up in World War 3, a war like no other because of nuclear weapons. I rebuilt our military, she gave it all away. … What they have done to our country, perhaps worst of all, allowing millions of people to come into our country, many of them are criminals. The worst president and the worst vice-president in the history of our country.”
–Trump refused to state his current abortion policy.
–Trump refused to state his policy on Ukraine.
REACTIONS
–Justin Winters, a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan: “Perhaps men are too emotional to be President.” [GO BLUE!]
–Late Night summed it up this way:
Stephen Colbert said: “Harris came out swinging, looking to rattle Trump’s cage. And now that it is over, they are still looking for pieces of his cage in low orbit.” AND “Harris got under his skin like she was stuffing in butter and rosemary. It was beautiful. By the end of the debate, the meat was falling off the bone.” AND “He was so nonsensical that she looked at him the way a parent looks at a kid giving a presentation on why they should be allowed to get a pet tiger.”
Jimmy Kimmel: “Usually when Donald Trump gets a spanking like this from a woman, it’s with a Forbes magazine. Kamala was pushing his buttons like a 12-year-old playing Fortnite.” AND “More than 67 million Americans watched the debate on television last night, and of that 67 million, the only one who seems to think Trump did a good job is Donald Trump.” AND “This morning, Trump said the debate was rigged and that ABC should be shut down for fact-checking him, but that he still thought he did great. Then ABC fact-checked him again and said, ‘You did not.’” AND “It looks like Operation ‘I’m Not Weird’ isn’t going well.”
–Tim Walz said: “Kamala laid out a clear vision and put a bully in his place.”
–Rep. Senator Lindsey Graham (and all-around Trump toady) said: “This was a disaster. Fire Trump’s debate prep team.”
–Karl Rove, Bush administration senior advisor: “There’s no putting lipstick on this pig. Trump was crushed by a woman he previously dismissed as ‘dumb as a rock.’ Which raises the question—what does that make him?”
–Fox News commentators: “Trump had a bad night.” AND “Did Trump miss opportunities? Absolutely.” AND “Yeah, everyone thought Harris seemed really prepared while Trump was like, ‘My homework was eaten by a dog that was eaten by people in Ohio.’” AND ”Trump rose to the bait repeatedly, also going with statements that were not winners.”
–Former Gov. Chris Christie, Republican from new Jersey who prepared Trump from previous debates: “Harris was exquisitely well prepared, she laid traps, and he chased every rabbit down every hole instead of talking about the things that he should have been talking about.”
—Wall Street knows Trump lost. Wednesday, Trump’s media stock crashed; shares of the parent company of Truth Social, which have traded like a proxy for former Trump’s election prospects, set a new low for the year.
–President Biden: “Wasn’t even close. VP Harris proved she’s the best choice to lead our nation forward.”
–ActBlue, the Democratic online fund-raising platform, took in $24 million just during the 3 hours from debate start time and $48 million in 24 hours; donations continued to pour in after that. Overall, ActBlue has collected well over $1 Billion since Biden’s withdrawal.
–Harris-Walz campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon: “Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?”
–Former Pres. Trump: “It was the best debate I’ve ever had.” (Not long before he REFUSED to do another debate.)
–Tim Miller of The Bulwark: “Impotent Trump was too intimidated to even look in Kamala’s direction at the debate, and now he wusses out of the rematch. Cannot recall a more dramatic demonstration of beta weakness in a campaign setting.”
Trump scurries off while Harris makes notes.
Allison Gill, in her The Breakdown Substack on Sept. 11, noted the sharp difference not just in how Trump and Harris prepared for the debate, but also in what they did when the cameras were off for a 4-minute commercial break. (The above image shows Trump dashing off stage while Harris stands her ground and calmly makes notes; credit: CBS News.) Per Gill, CBS pool reporter Sara Cook described it like this: “The second the stage hand said they were clear for a 4 minute break, Trump turned towards the exit, gave a big sigh through closed lips, and walked off stage without looking at Harris. From the time the moderators announced they were going to break, Harris began writing on her notepad. She wrote continuously for the entire first two minutes of the break, occasionally bringing one hand to her chin or brushing hair behind her ear. She then reviewed what she wrote for the next minute, making a few tweaks, before putting the pen down and looking out around the room with her hands folded in front of her. She took a sip of water from a glass placed under the lectern. “Trump walked back onstage 30 seconds before the end of break. He did not look at Harris, she did not look at him. Harris made small adjustments to her collar. Both candidates looked straight ahead until the program restarted.” As Gill concluded: “Cheers to everyone, everywhere who has taken shit for being prepared and capable. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a win is worth it all.” https://www.muellershewrote.com/p/the-debate
Best Media Assessment of Trump’s Debate Denial.
Per Dan Balz at the Washington Post: “Former president Donald Trump has long inhabited a bizarre world of his own creation. He rewrites history — or makes it up entirely — to aggrandize himself, denigrate others and spread the basest of lies. It keeps getting worse. Since Tuesday’s debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, he’s spiraled ever deeper into conspiracy theories, falsehoods and grievances. He insists he is not a loser. He never lost the 2020 election, he says falsely, and he certainly didn’t lose that debate in Philadelphia. He claims victory in an event in which he spent 90 minutes chasing Harris’s barbs down every possible rabbit hole. He rarely managed to get off the defensive long enough to make a case against her — and when he did, he was barely coherent. Trump can’t accept the widely held verdict that Harris outdid him, just like he couldn’t accept that President Joe Biden defeated him four years ago.” Trump can’t accept his poor debate. So he’s spiraled into conspiracy theories. 9/16/24 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/14/trump-conspiracies-lies-analysis/
Tiffany, darling.
During the debate and afterward, to explain away Trump’s repeated face-plants, supporters posted online that Harris was wearing earrings with audio transmitters, allowing her to be coached during the event. Since then, Trump has been using that at rallies and in interviews as just one of his “poor me” excuses for completely bombing at the debate. This was fact-checked and determined to be: FALSE—No evidence Harris’ earrings contained wireless earphones. Above images show Tiffany earrings, Harris at the debate, and the Novo Audio product. (Image credits: Tiffany, Getty, Audio Novo.) In fact, Harris has worn her pearl earrings at many events in recent months. They are a discontinued Tiffany design, very similar to the current item shown above. Her earrings do NOT match the Novo Audio design, which has been discontinued since 2023 due to the start-up company’s insolvency; it is not clear they were ever produced. The company has stated that nothing was supplied to Harris or her campaign. No evidence there were transmitters in Kamala Harris’ earrings during debate | Fact check 9/11/24 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2024/09/11/kamala-harris-earrings-debate-fact-check/75174487007/
MORE
—WATCH the debate in full here: https://www.youtube.com/live/T89NYFjEAiM
–Just have 3 minutes? Watch the highlight reel here: https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/watch-the-first-debate-between-harris-and-trump-in-3-minutes-219046981851
–9 Body Language Tells From the Presidential Debate 9/11/24 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/09/11/body-language-presidential-debate-harris-trump-00178569
–It Was Donald Trump’s Night — in the Worst Possible Way 9/11/24 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/09/11/trump-harris-debate-3-takeaways-analysis-00178484
–The World Can Now See Kamala Harris in its Most Powerful Job 9/11/24 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/09/11/kamala-harris-debate-us-allies-reaction-00178590
–Trump and Harris face off in contentious debate 9/11/24 https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-harris-debate-abc-09-10-24#h_bf0713ded98fb1867a0770a9cf09dddf
–How to Diminish a Former President 9/10/24 https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/03/opinion/thepoint#harris-trump-debate-gender