[Winstonm]

If Harris isn't elected after this Trump debate fiasco, the United States should push the self-destruct button.

[jillybean]

Winstonm, on 2024-September-10, 20:59, said:

If Harris isn't elected after this Trump debate fiasco, the United States should push the self-destruct button.

I’d say the USA will have already pushed the self-destruct button if they elect Trump after this debate fiasco.

[thepossum]

It's a clear choice between something

[pilowsky]

Looks like Trump made a dog's breakfast out that debate.

[kenberg]

jillybean, on 2024-September-10, 20:16, said:

I don't pretend to understand politics like the contributors here do.
However, IMO Harris killing it.

I am glad to see that you are back to the discussion.

I am, however, less entusisastic about the Harris performance. I suppose that in the next week or so there will be plenty of polls. I will be surprised if there has been any improvement in her standing. Becky and I watched only the first half hour oor so, we will try to watch the rest today. We rarely watch tv after 8 and the debate started at 9 our time. But realy Beky found it unsatisfactory, I saw it as painfully disappointing.

I am with you in not claiming to understand politics, especially the effest of speeches and debatess, all that well. I hope my assessment is way off. I impatiently await the polls.

[jillybean]

Perhaps it was Trumps usual, vile, angry outbursts (Immigrants eating family dogs and cats?) and failure to convey any Presidential qualities or policies that made Harris look like a winner, in my eyes.

I will be interested to hear your and Becky's opinion after watching the entire broadcast.

I, along with the rest of the world will be watching closely for the next 55 days.

edit: I agree, Harris response to the Economic question was a significant stumble.

[kenberg]

I now have my morning coffee so I will expand a little on the above. Let's take the first question to Harris:

"When it comes to the economy, do you believe Americans are better off than they were four years ago?"

Here is the start of her answer:

"So, I was raised as a middle-class kid. And I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America. I believe in the ambition, the aspirations, the dreams of the American people. And that is why I imagine and have actually a plan to build what I call an opportunity economy. "

You do not have to be a political expert to think that the first part of a response to the question should be either "Yes, I do believe Americans are better off than they were four years ago" or "No, I do not believe Americans are better off than they were four years ago" But that was not her answer, not at the beginning, not at all.

Ok, so maybe she said something that would attract voters? I am trying to think of the voter who responds with "My goodness, I had no idea that Harris believes in ambition, aspiration and dreams. Now that I know she favors such things of course I will vote for her"

I did not think her responses got better as we got further on.


My overall view of the race: When Harris replaced Biden there was enthusiasm. Thiis was fueld by many people seeing Trump as the total louse that he is, and seeing Biden as being in no mental shape to serve another four years. So polls showed Harris looking better than Biden did. But thatbump up of enthusiasm has taken place and now more is needed. I don't think the debate provided what was needed.

We shall see.

One more thing. Becky and I were not alone in only watching the first half hour, or at least I doubt we were alone. Many people are not up for 90 minutes of political back and forth. The first half hour counts for a lot, just as the opening part of the first response counts for a lot.

But I will get to the remaining parts of it. I cannot speak for Becky, she really did find it very unsatisfying.

[awm]

I thought Kamala Harris's answer here was good, even though it's something of a dodge.

The point of this question is convince Americans that are worried about their economic situation that you care about them and will work to make their lives better.

Giving a literal (yes/no) answer here is basically a trap. An answer that "yes, Americans are better off" (even if true for a majority or on average), will convince these worried voters that she does not care about their situation. An answer that "no, Americans are not better off" will be an admission that Trump was better on the economy. Any comments about non-economic things (like Covid or abortion rights) in answer to this question will convince such voters that she doesn't understand their issues.

She gave the best possible answer to this trap, by pivoting to how she comes from a middle class background and has plans to help people who are struggling economically.

[kenberg]

awm, on 2024-September-11, 09:31, said:

I thought Kamala Harris's answer here was good, even though it's something of a dodge.

The point of this question is convince Americans that are worried about their economic situation that you care about them and will work to make their lives better.

Giving a literal (yes/no) answer here is basically a trap. An answer that "yes, Americans are better off" (even if true for a majority or on average), will convince these worried voters that she does not care about their situation. An answer that "no, Americans are not better off" will be an admission that Trump was better on the economy. Any comments about non-economic things (like Covid or abortion rights) in answer to this question will convince such voters that she doesn't understand their issues.

She gave the best possible answer to this trap, by pivoting to how she comes from a middle class background and has plans to help people who are struggling economically.

Fair enough, not all yes/no questions can be answered simply. But she really did not adress it at all.

From what I have been reading, I gather that many people think Harris did very well. I remain skeptical.

The debate provided her with opportunity. I hope that those who think she did well with this opportunity are correct. I just did not see it that way.