WASHINGTON — US Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris took a commanding position Tuesday (10 Sept 2024) night in the presidential debate, often forcing former President Donald Trump to defend his record and statements throughout their intense exchange.
During the heated one-hour and forty-five-minute debate, Harris portrayed herself as a stark contrast to Trump: composed and unflappable. She countered Trump’s attacks and presented herself as a thoughtful leader on crucial issues like immigration, abortion, and the economy.
Harris aimed to unsettle Trump by questioning his international reputation and business prowess. “World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump,” she declared during the debate held in Pennsylvania. She also contrasted her middle-class upbringing with Trump’s wealth, which she described as inherited and mismanaged.
Trump rejected Harris’s claims, arguing that his wealth was self-made and disputing the idea that he had been handed USD400 million. He responded to Harris’s attacks by labeling her and President Joe Biden as “Marxists” and criticizing their handling of inflation and immigration.
Harris dismissed Trump’s allegations as “tired playbook” tactics, emphasizing her commitment to uniting Americans rather than dividing them. She challenged Trump’s claims about the 2020 election and accused him of not accepting the result.
After the debate, the Harris campaign issued a challenge for a second debate, with chair Jen O’Malley Dillon asserting, “Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?”
On abortion, Trump defended his role in overturning Roe v. Wade but was evasive about his stance on a potential national ban, citing legislative challenges. Harris criticized Trump’s policies, emphasizing the impact on women and families.
In foreign policy, Trump accused Harris of being anti-Israel and warned of dire consequences for Israel if she were elected. Harris countered by defending her support for Israel and attacking Trump’s foreign policy record, particularly his perceived admiration for dictators.
Trump’s debate performance included controversial and unverified claims about migrants in Ohio, which Harris criticized as extreme and false, emphasizing her bipartisan support.
The debate showcased a clear contrast between Harris’s focus on unity and Trump’s combative rhetoric.
(ia/mnm/Sourced Online)
