Staff Reports
Donald Trump took the stage during a recent debate, and while he didn’t deliver a knockout punch, he sure had the opportunity. Kamala Harris, who many would argue offers about as much charisma as a wet cardboard box, managed to avoid a complete catastrophe. Unlike Joe Biden’s comical train wreck of a performance earlier this year, Harris came off as slightly less dreadful, but not by much. Rather than turning the heat up on her policy failures, Trump got sucked into discussions about rally sizes and the 2020 elections, topics that usually send him into a tailspin. One might say he looked more flustered than usual, especially when the subjects of January 6th and the “weaponization” of the Justice Department came up.
The debate itself was less a battle of wits and more a bizarre circus, with moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis showcasing their finest bias while setting traps for Trump. One particularly curious moment involved the inquiry into Harris’ racial identity, leaving one to ponder if the moderators had accidentally eaten some bad nachos prior to going live. It’s hard to claim an outright victory when Trump was simultaneously facing off against Harris, Muir, and Davis all in one shot. Sure, declaring it a draw might be an easy way out, but it’s troubling to think that Trump had the ammo to put Harris away on policy and didn’t take the shot.
🚨 Holy smokes Trump gained 2 points on the economy among CNN viewers after they watched the debate.
LMFAO this is such a good sign. pic.twitter.com/XQXyIXr10N
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) September 11, 2024
Despite the back-and-forth, the post-debate interpretation by CNN viewers sparked quite a bewildering revelation. While a snap poll declared Harris the “winner,” she lost ground when it came to the economy—a rather critical topic in any election cycle. Her initial approval rating of 37% plummeted to 35% after the debate. However, perhaps stoking the embers of hope for conservatives, Trump managed to pick up two points on economic trust among the same CNN audience. At this rate, one must wonder if the average CNN viewer is starting to realize that a stable economy under Trump beats chaos and incompetence under Harris any day of the week.
Even more amusing is how undecided voters were quick to voice that life was indeed better when Trump was in charge. One voter remarked that inflation was lower, the economy was thriving, and everything seemed to work—novel concepts in this administration. This sentiment was echoed in focus groups where voters expressed frustration over Harris’ failure to provide clear answers and her lack of ownership for her administration’s blunders. With stories of families who went through the grueling process of immigrating legally only to witness a surge of illegal entries being brushed aside by Harris, it’s no wonder the electorate is feeling jaded.
As for the media’s portrayal of the debate, it’s expected to resemble a circus act where Harris rings up a “victory” while simultaneously away from the spotlight, fundraising instead of directly addressing pressing questions. Trump, after enduring the evening’s peculiarities, found himself left to take questions while Harris vanished into the ether. This classic maneuver may just reflect her camp’s desperation amid tightrope-walking in public opinion.
In the final analysis, despite the spin being put on Harris’ supposed success in the polls, the reality is that the average American knows who’s to blame for rising costs and a wobbly economy. One successful debate performance cannot overshadow the tangible impacts of over two years of mismanagement. The Rorschach-like interpretations of who won this debate might shift over time, but one thing remains glaringly clear. Regardless of the noise, the voters’ echo from prior administrations rings loud and clear, and Trump supporters would do well to maintain their optimism.
