Harris Makes a Strong Start in the Presidential Debate, Coming Out Swinging from the Beginning

Tuesday in Philadelphia, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump squared off in a presidential debate; Harris delivered several blows as Trump spewed strange lies over immigration and abortion.

Said the vice-president, “World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump.” “I have spoken with military leaders, some of which interacted with you; they say you are a disgrace.”

Voters felt Harris had won the debate by a margin of 63% to 37%, according a CNN snap poll. Harris obviously rattling the former president, who took the bait repeatedly, as she mocked Trump about people leaving his rallies early from “boredom and exhaustion,” even a Fox News commentator pronounced Harris the winner.

Which events most stayed with you?

Trump started rumbling about immigration eating people’s dogs after Harris finished one comment with a knock on his audience count. Trump added, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats.” “They are dining on the personal pets of the residents.” ABC reporters interrupted to state that the Springfield, Ohio, municipal manager had informed the network there were no credible allegations of specific claims of dogs being hurt by members of the immigrant population.

What performance did the moderators exhibit?

David Muir and Linsey Davis, ABC’s moderators, were mainly commended for fact-checking Trump’s lies and guiding conversations back to the questions. Davis said, “There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it’s born,” when Trump falsely accused Harris and running partner Tim Walz of advocating “execution after birth” and “abortion in the ninth month.”

Harris also got support on Instagram from Taylor Swift, who signed the post as “childless cat lady,” jabbing at sexist remarks made by Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance after the debate ended.