The first presidential debate of 2024 was supposed to be a turning point—a chance for Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to show the country why they should be the next president. Instead, what we got was a night full of half-hearted exchanges, dodged questions, and missed chances. It left a lot of people asking, “Is this really the best we’ve got?”
Let’s start with Trump. Known for his fiery and aggressive style, he came off surprisingly low-energy. Sure, he threw a few jabs at Harris, calling her the “puppet of the radical left,” but it felt like he was going through the motions. When the moderator pressed him on how he would tackle inflation—arguably one of the biggest issues right now—he repeated the same tired line about cutting taxes. But beyond that? Nothing. No specifics, no new ideas, no concrete solutions. It was like he was running on autopilot.
Then there was Harris. She had a chance to really distance herself from Trump and prove she’s up to the task. But what did we get? A lot of vague, polished answers that felt like they were lifted straight from a campaign flyer. Take the question on border security—something millions of Americans care deeply about. Her response? More talk about “working with international partners” and “getting to the root causes” of migration. That’s all well and good, but where’s the immediate plan? Where’s the strategy to address the chaos happening at the border right now? She never gave us one.
Missed Opportunities Everywhere
One of the most frustrating parts of the debate was that neither candidate seemed willing to engage with the real, pressing issues facing the country. Trump had his shot when the topic of climate change came up, but instead of offering any kind of serious plan, he boasted about how America has the “cleanest air and water in the world.” Not only was that untrue, but it didn’t address the question. Harris wasn’t much better. She talked about rejoining international agreements and promised “action,” but again, no real specifics. It felt like both were skirting around the topic, throwing out talking points without offering any vision.
And that’s what this debate came down to: a whole lot of words without much meaning behind them. Both candidates seemed more focused on not making any big mistakes than actually saying something that matters. Trump was too busy ranting about Hunter Biden, and Harris was too concerned with staying on her safe, rehearsed script.
How Did It Affect the Polls?
So, did this debate move the needle? Not really. According to the latest numbers from some of the most trusted polls—Gallup, Pew Research, Monmouth, and Ipsos—neither candidate gained much ground.
• Gallup shows Harris holding a narrow lead at 48%, with Trump trailing at 45%. The real kicker here? The number of undecided voters has gone up. After watching this lackluster debate, more people are unsure who to support.
• Pew Research reports a similar story, with Harris at 47% and Trump at 46%. But again, about 6% of voters are now saying they might not vote at all. That’s a pretty telling sign of how unimpressed people were.
• Monmouth University puts Harris slightly ahead at 49%, Trump at 44%, and—surprise, surprise—the undecided vote is growing. After the debate, more people are on the fence than before.
• Ipsos has them neck and neck, with Harris at 47% and Trump at 46%. What’s concerning here is that around 8% of voters are now saying they’re considering third-party candidates. If that doesn’t scream frustration, I don’t know what does.
Did the Debate Help or Hurt?
At the end of the day, the debate didn’t help either candidate much. Trump had a golden opportunity to connect with voters on the issues they care about—like the economy and border security—but he didn’t bring anything new to the table. His base will stick with him, sure, but he didn’t win over any undecided voters. And with the election so tight, he really can’t afford to miss chances like this.
Harris, on the other hand, didn’t do herself any favors either. She’s leading in most polls, but this debate could’ve been her moment to pull ahead even further. Instead, she played it safe, stuck to her rehearsed answers, and missed a huge opportunity to connect with the voters who are still on the fence. She could’ve confronted Trump more directly or laid out bold, specific policies that show she’s ready to lead, but she didn’t.
The Real Losers: The American People
The real takeaway from this debate? The American people are the ones getting the short end of the stick. If these are the two best options for president, it’s no wonder voters are feeling frustrated. This debate wasn’t a clash of ideas or a showcase of leadership. It was two politicians more focused on attacking each other than addressing the real problems facing the country.
Both Trump and Harris spent more time dodging questions and throwing around empty phrases than offering any real vision for the future. And that’s the sad part—because voters deserve better. We deserve candidates who are going to step up, offer solutions, and lead. Instead, we’re getting stuck with two candidates who seem more interested in playing it safe than making any meaningful changes.
Where Do We Go From Here?
So, where does this leave us? Unfortunately, it looks like we’re in for more of the same as the election rolls on. Neither Trump nor Harris did anything in this debate to inspire confidence, and if the next one is anything like this, we’re going to be stuck with a race where the choice is between bad and worse.
At this point, it’s no wonder people are tuning out, and third-party candidates are starting to look more appealing. When neither major candidate seems willing to step up and lead, it’s the voters who are left feeling like they’re losing. And if this is the best we’ve got for 2024, it’s hard to see how anyone can walk away from this election feeling like a winner.
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