There’s been plenty of noise about who “won” the presidential debate, but let’s cut through the chatter. Winning isn’t about who made the best zingers or had the most exaggerated facial expressions—though Kamala Harris certainly gave it a go on that front. It’s about who convinced the undecided and independent voters, and on that front, Harris fell flat.
The problem for Kamala Harris is that she needed to set herself apart. Independent voters, already dissatisfied with Joe Biden’s policies, wanted to hear how she would be different. They needed answers about her plans for the future, especially on key issues like the economy and immigration. But, as reported by CBS and Reuters focus groups, voters didn’t feel they got those answers. Even CNN had to admit that Trump gained significant points in the most critical areas: leading Harris by 20 points on the economy, 23 on immigration, and six on leadership as commander-in-chief.
ABC REACTS: “Kamala Harris did not do a good job today explaining her policy.” pic.twitter.com/e14JfR87G1
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 11, 2024
Then there’s the stunning report from pollster Lee Carter on The Faulkner Focus, where dial monitors tracked the reactions of Democrats, Republicans, and, most importantly, independents to what Harris and Trump were saying. Here’s the kicker: Independents were tracking with Republicans. That’s right—when Trump talked about rising crime due to illegal immigration, the independent voters reacted exactly like Republicans, with the line shooting up in Trump’s favor.
Carter herself was surprised, noting, “The intensity of the independent support was there for Donald Trump.” Independents want solutions on immigration and the economy, and they want to know things will get better. What they didn’t hear from Harris was how she plans to make things different. She had the stage, the moment to define herself, and she blew it.
When Harris tried to hit Trump with the tired line about tax breaks for the wealthy, both Republicans and independents weren’t buying it. The dial lines plunged. Her claims that economists said her plan would be better and that Trump’s would cause inflation? That took some nerve, considering she’s part of the administration responsible for record inflation. When Trump talked about Biden and Harris destroying the economy, especially with everyday items like bacon and eggs, the voters agreed, with the lines surging back in Trump’s favor.
60% of undecided voters pick Trump after the debate, per CNN.
This is called karma and when you act like an entitled a**hole, America figures it out. We are not stupid. pic.twitter.com/RfkjXJ96rn
— Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) September 11, 2024
Harris’s attempts to win over independents on issues like fracking, defunding the police, or even her extreme stance on abortion were met with skepticism. Trump capitalized on her weak spots, pointing out her past positions on these issues, and independents weren’t impressed. The biggest blow? Trump’s final message: “If you’ve been in office for the past three-plus years, why haven’t you done any of this already?” It’s the kind of question that cuts through the noise and makes voters think.
Kamala Harris had a chance to show she could lead, to present a vision different from Biden’s floundering presidency. Instead, she stuck to attacking Trump without offering solutions. The result? A debate where independents moved closer to Trump, and Harris missed her opportunity to connect on the issues that matter most.
