The impact of changing debaters was clearly evident. In a previous debate in June, Joe Biden’s performance was so disastrous in comparison to Trump’s, that he decided to withdraw from the competition. Recently, Trump locked horns with Kamala Harris, Biden’s replacement. There was hardly any variation in Trump’s approach compared to the earlier debate. If anything, he displayed greater clarity. However, Harris accomplished what Biden had failed to do: she succeeded in shining the spotlight on Trump’s serious flaws and the threat he represents to the American democratic system.
In this latest debate, Trump once again propagated an odd falsehood that he had previously voiced – he stated that in West Virginia, or perhaps Virginia as the states seemed to be wrongly interchanged in his speech, baby killing is considered legal. His claim was that the newborn’s life or death decision is delayed after birth. In the previous debate, Biden had counter-argued this absurd claim with a convoluted response that concluded with a narrative of a murdered nursing student reportedly killed by an illegal immigrant, thereby shifting the debate from the Democrats’ main point of focus – reproductive rights – towards the Republicans’ principal point of concern – the supposed dangers posed by illegal immigration.
Notably, Harris’s rejoinder was markedly different. With the timely assistance of the ABC News moderators, who diligently and quietly corrected Trump’s distortions, Harris easily waved off Trump’s outrageous claim. While Trump was speaking, Harris’s facial expressions oscillated between concern and irritation and she was frequently seen mocking Trump’s ludicrous assertions. Biden, on the other hand, had previously just stared vacantly forward.
In sharp contrast to Biden, who has always been reluctant to discuss abortion, Harris presented a forceful defence of reproductive rights, rooted in an understanding of the consequences of the elimination of Roe v Wade for single women. Speaking about how the denial of care to a woman suffering a miscarriage could lead to terrible consequences, she argued that reproductive rights are an essential civil liberty. Any interference by Trump or anyone else, in a woman’s choice about her own body was “immoral”, Harris asserted.
Harris maximised her strengths and effectively undercut those of Trump in the debate. She skilfully managed to push Trump on the back foot. With regards to immigration, she urged the public to participate or view a Trump rally to witness his peculiar and extremist assertions. “Visit or view one of Trump’s rallies, it’s quite the experience. His discourse revolves around imaginary personalities like Hannibal Lecter. He insists that wind turbines lead to cancer,” she remarked. She concluded by pointing out that a large number of attendees depart from Trump’s rallies prematurely due to fatigue and lack of interest. “The one thing he won’t address is you,” she said.
Trump fell into her trap and was diverted from his strong points. When he finally got back to them, he espoused wild, totally discredited conspiracy theories about Haitian immigrants in Ohio consuming Americans’ domestic pets. “They’re feasting on the dogs. The individuals that arrived – they’re feeding on the cats,” he claimed. Harris dismissed him with laughter, while the host, David Muir, was compelled to interject and highlight that the city manager in Springfield confirmed there were no valid reports of pets being mistreated or abused by members of the city’s immigrant population. When Trump revisited this alleged illegality by immigrants, Harris swiftly shifted focus to his personal illicit behaviour.
‘This debate did vividly highlight the sensible resolution of Biden’s decision to step aside, enabling Harris to take his place’
Trump’s counter arguments were less effective as he vacillated between two narratives. He depicted Harris as inconsistent and unable to adhere to a single policy. Conversely, he labelled her as an extreme leftist. “It’s general knowledge she’s a Marxist,” he proclaimed. Nonetheless, it is unlikely that this debate would have impressed viewers into believing that Harris is inconsistent, extreme or, improbably enough, both.
Harris, unlike Trump, is a relatively unknown entity among the American populace, hence many were eager to learn more about her during the debate. Her performance was not devoid of flaws – she fumbled at the debate’s onset and sometimes appeared lost among statistics. Overall, though, she embodied how a presidential figure should act, demonstrating knowledge on the issues at hand, expressing her strong standpoints, and addressing general American concerns eloquently. She successfully portrayed herself as a contrast to the less popular Biden, proposing herself as the face of a future leadership generation.
Harris’s most impactful move was refocusing the spotlight on Trump. She painted him as an unpredictable, law-breaking, authoritarian, discriminatory leader, causing voters to reconsider if they want another four years under his leadership. She baited Trump until he unmasked himself as petty, malicious, and a bad sport. In response to Trump’s denial of the election result, Harris pointed out that he was “dismissed by 81 million people,” and that he seems to be struggling to come to terms with it.
One must not overestimate the influence of just one debate, which is unlikely to sway polls by anything more than a slight margin. Trump, though on the back foot, maintained a reasonable performance as per his standards. The majority of Americans have already made up their minds about the election, and it is expected to be a tight race. However, this debate unquestionably demonstrated the astuteness of Biden’s decision to step aside and endorse Harris as his successor. Post the June debate, Democrats looked set for failure under Biden’s leadership. Now, with Harris leading the way, they stand a better chance of triumph come November, as she can effectively expose Trump’s vulnerabilities.
Daniel Geary holds the position of Mark Pigott Associate Professor in American History at Trinity College Dublin.