On Tuesday (September 10), the long-awaited first presidential debate took place between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The Root talked to several political experts about each candidate’s performance and what it could mean come November.
Gevin Reynolds, a political commentator and former speechwriter for Harris , praised the way the Vice President bravely took on Trump. “She delivered [Tuesday night]. The Vice President prosecuted the case against Donald Trump like only she can,” Reynolds told The Root.
Harris was indeed on a roll during the debate and the difference between the two candidates was astonishing. The Vice President successfully baited Trump by saying he was was “fired by 81 million people” in the 2020 election and is now “confused” about losing.
She also told Trump that world leaders were laughing at him, and that military leaders labeled him a “disgrace.” However, Reynolds insisted that it’s vital not to count Trump out just yet.
“I’d much rather be the Vice President than the former President, but it would be a mistake to think Trump is done for. As they say, polls don’t vote, people do,” Reynolds said.
But he cautioned that we won’t see much of a bump in the polls. “While [Harris is] still the underdog in this race, I’d say after tonight, the momentum is on her side. She did her part, now it’s time for us to do ours.”
Political commentator and disinformation expert Reecie Colbert believed that Harris’ performance was downright impressive. During the debate, Harris explained her policy which contains tax breaks for parents and small businesses, further explaining she wants to issue a first-time home-buyer credit for down payments. However, Trump merely said he had “concepts of a plan” when asked about how he will replace the Affordable Care Act.
“VP Kamala Harris showed up and gave big boss energy while totally diminishing the former bully known as Donald Trump,” Colbert said. “He had no answers for VP and she had everything laid out—from her policy to her [professional] record as she made the contrast against Trump.”
Colbert also believed that the debate cemented Harris as an intrinsic leader. “Anybody who had any kind of doubt or confusion surrounding who is fit to be commander-in-chief for the next four years got the answer they needed Tuesday night.”
Things weren’t all bad for Trump, though. Historian and economist Dr. Walter Greason told The Root that there was one particular highlight from the former president. “Trump had his best moment in trying to divide the public about the War in Gaza,” Greason said.
“Harris should have exposed his selfishness more frequently as she offered policy solutions.” However, he ultimately agreed that Harris was unstoppable during the debate.
“[The Vice President] dominated the debate at multiple points, but the reversal on the immigration question about his boring rallies was the moment she disqualified him,” Greason continued.
The professor also emphasized that despite coming out on top Tuesday night, it will still be an uphill battle for Harris. “Polling of likely and registered voters skews against Harris,” Greason said. “The key for Democrats is turnout, and Trump’s depression of conservative voters is always underestimated.”
Despite the challenge the election will most likely remain for Harris, the debate galvanized Black folks in a special way, according to Greason.
“For Black America, this performance by Vice-President Harris is a global vindication of African-American excellence and the need to restore thousands of Black institutions that have been destroyed since 1965.”
Nicole Austin-Hillery, President & CEO at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, told The Root that the debate amplified our truth.
“The experience of Black Americans is rooted in a belief in the promise of opportunity, the chance for a better life, and empowerment, despite the historical challenges to making that promise a reality,” she said.
“Many of the issues discussed [at the debate] had a clear connection to ensuring a renewed commitment to that promise and that possibility should leave Black America feeling hopeful in the march towards the November election.”