The presidential candidates debate on Sept. 10 was a remarkably revealing snapshot of the positions, capabilities and temperament of the candidates. If you were not among the 67 million viewers who watched live, it is well worth your time to watch it on line: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRh6598RmHM
Trump was sullen, rambling, undisciplined, grim and old. Harris was energetic, joyful, honest, deeply knowledgeable and came across as mature but youthful.
Harris talked about her plans for helping and for helping to build the middle class. She mentioned financial assistance for first time home purchasers and for childcare. As she observed, many of her proposals are focused on citizens, particularly including the middle class.
Trump had to offer only complaints, criticisms and grievances. Trump confirmed that despite his nine years of criticism of the Affordable Care Act, he still has no plan for replacing it, just the aspiration for something better and cheaper.
When Harris attacked his plans for large new tariffs on imports into the U.S., Trump repeated his claim that the foreign countries sending their products to the U.S. would pay those tariffs. That is false. Tariffs are added to the selling price the importers charge for their products and are largely paid by U.S. purchasers.
Trump also claimed that (legal) Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are stealing pet dogs and cats and eating them. When the moderator refuted the claim, Trump retorted that he “saw it on TV.” Further reporting after the debate confirmed that the claims have no foundation in fact.
Trump confirmed that he doesn’t care if Ukraine loses the war being waged against it by Putin’s Russia. By contrast, Harris recounted meeting with Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy to warn him about the impending attack by Russia. She also affirmed the importance of international alliances, particularly including NATO, to American safety and world peace. The vice president vividly demonstrated by demeanor, knowledge, manner and strength that she is well prepared for the demands of the presidency.
On the volatile subject of abortion, Trump bragged about nominating the Supreme Court justices who formed the majority overturning Roe vs. Wade, but he refused to confirm that he would, if president, veto a federal act banning abortion. Disturbingly, Trump repeated his confounding assertion that there are abortions happening after birth. One of the moderators observed that no such practice is legal anywhere in the United States, which would quite simply be murder.
Trump claimed Harris wants to take your guns. She retorted that she and Tim Walz are gun owners and have no interest in taking away the guns of others.
The debate confirmed my plan to vote for Vice President Harris for president. I hope other Progress readers will do the same.
John Pratt