In a highly anticipated presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris took on former President Donald Trump. This debate, held in early September, followed months of political tension and high stakes as both candidates sought to sway voters.
For Harris, this was a moment to solidify her position as a strong contender for the presidency. For Trump, it was an opportunity to regain ground against the younger Democratic nominee.
Political experts from the Kansas City area believe that Harris managed to outperform Trump in the debate, though questions remain about whether it will influence voters in key states like Missouri and Kansas.
Harris Dominates Debate, but Evasiveness Noted
Kamala Harris was quick to take control of the debate, according to Dr. Matt Harris, an associate professor of political science at Park University.
Although she didn’t delve into every detail of her policy plans, she skillfully directed the conversation and drew Trump off track. “She sort of controlled the debate by presenting her vision and then needling former President Trump in ways that she knew would get him off track,” Dr. Harris said.
However, Harris was also evasive on certain issues, particularly when pressed on specific policies. Despite this, she remained focused and strategic in her approach, managing to keep Trump on the defensive throughout much of the debate.
Trump’s Missed Opportunities
Panelists from KCUR’s Up to Date radio show argued that Trump missed critical opportunities to challenge Harris on her time as Vice President. Dr. Scott Elliot, a communications professor at Kansas City, Kansas Community College, highlighted how Trump could have framed the debate better.
“He should have come in from the very top and said, ‘She’s been in office for three and a half years. She said that she was in the room when these decisions were made, so why haven’t they been implemented?'” Dr. Elliot noted.
This strategy, he argued, would have forced Harris to explain why her administration hasn’t taken certain actions during her vice presidency.
Fact-Checking and Moderation
Another key aspect of the debate was the role of the moderators. Unlike the previous debate, CBS moderators took a firmer stance in refuting false or misleading comments. While many of these corrections were aimed at Trump, they helped to maintain a more structured debate.
Dr. Andrea Vieux, a political science professor at Johnson County Community College, noted that while fact-checking is essential, too many interruptions from moderators can be distracting. “They could have gone farther with some of that fact-checking,” she added.
Dr. Harris also acknowledged that moderating a debate with Trump presents unique challenges. “It’s difficult to moderate a debate that Donald Trump is in because the lies come so frequently,” he said.
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Does It Matter for Missouri and Kansas Voters?
While Kamala Harris appears to have won the debate based on flash polling and the opinions of political experts, the question remains whether this will significantly affect voters in Missouri and Kansas.
These are crucial states for any presidential candidate, and while Harris may have gained an edge, it’s unclear if that edge will translate into votes.
For Trump, the debate may not have been his best moment, but experts like Dr. Harris believe that expectations for him are already low. “For Donald Trump, I think to a certain extent, the bar is on the floor,” he said.
Ultimately, while Kamala Harris may have dominated the debate stage, the real test lies in how voters respond in the coming weeks.