In a fiery face-off that had everyone watching, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump locked horns for the first time on the debate stage Tuesday.
As expected, it was a spectacle—two powerhouses going head-to-head in a political showdown that left one camp cheering and the other on defense.
This debate followed a chaotic series of events, sparked by President Joe Biden’s shaky performance earlier in the election cycle.
His faltering moment fueled calls for him to step aside, setting the stage for Harris to take the reins with her campaign.
With the eyes of the nation fixed on her, she had a lot to prove.
In the ring less than two months after Biden swiftly named her his successor, Harris had to show she could stand the heat.
And by early reactions, she did just that—keeping Trump on his toes and turning his temper against him.
Democrats quickly claimed victory, while Republicans zeroed in on the moderators instead.
Democrats Celebrate Harris’ Poise
Harris’ strategy seemed clear—draw Trump out, let him fume, and stay collected. It worked.
Democrats like Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez poked fun at Trump’s responses.
In an interview with CBS, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro reflected on Harris’ performance and remarked how she “baited” Trump into defensive outbursts.
He added, “As a former prosecutor, I know an easy target when I see one. Trump’s focus on himself, not on the future or helping the American people.”
GOP Cries Foul
Not surprisingly, Republicans had a different take. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the debate moderators, accusing them of bias and criticizing Harris for her stance on immigration.
House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik praised Trump for highlighting Republican priorities and echoed complaints about the moderators.
“The ABC moderators were not journalists, they were pro-Kamala activists who baselessly attacked President Trump leading to a 3 on 1 debate,” she said in a statement on X.
Fox News pundits, including Sen. Marco Rubio and Sean Hannity, shared a similar sentiment.
Hannity called the debate’s moderation “the biggest failure for the country,” while Rubio labeled it “an embarrassment to journalism.”
Pundits Praise Harris’ Performance
Political commentators were quick to respond. CNN’s Chris Wallace, formerly of Fox News, called the debate a major win for Harris.
He compared it to Biden’s June debate, saying, “I didn’t think I was ever going to witness a debate as devastating as that one. Tonight was just as devastating.”
Meanwhile, NBC’s presidential historian, Michael Beschloss, noted on X that “from start to end, Kamala Harris has just delivered what is easily one of the most successful presidential debate performances in all of American history.”
As both sides continue to dissect the debate, the race remains wide open.
Harris’ cool demeanor, compared to Trump’s more emotional responses, may have given her a key win in this round, but the true impact on the business of politics will unfold in the weeks to come.
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