Former President Donald Trump kicked off the first presidential debate on Tuesday night with a message: first on point, then on offense. While he kept things low-key and riffed on immigration and the economy, Vice President Kamala Harris was perfectly attuned to the deeply unpopular incumbent president and went on the defensive with detailed points.
But she made him angry.
Trump could have ended the election on Tuesday night, but both sides will have to survive the next two months in a neck-and-neck situation.
Like Ernest Hemingway's bankruptcy law, it happened gradually, then suddenly. There was a noticeable shift near the end of the first 30 minutes, when Trump's voice began to rise. That doesn't matter. Trump is the master of political debate who has revolutionized the sport. He was winning the first 15 to 20 minutes handily.
But by the second half of the first hour, it was clear Harris was catching up to him.
Yes, the hosts made a fool of themselves. It wasn't just liberal bias, it was journalistic misconduct. Why is Harris allowed to say IVF is illegal in some states (it is legal in all states), but Trump is blocked from saying abortion is legal without restriction in others (including Minnesota, where Harris' running mate Tim Walz runs)? What about her false statements?
Exposed The “bloodbath” claim?
But it wasn't the host who sprinted into Trump's ramblings about election fraud, the Jan. 6 riots, how much money he inherited, the Central Park Five, etc. Harris and the host simply waved their red capes while Trump ran off on crime, the economy and his disastrous retreat from Kabul.
Trump glowed when he hit his opponent with it. Whereas Harris glowed noticeably (and somewhat creepily) when talking about abortion, Trump repeated his successful tactic in Las Vegas in 2016, when only the moderator (their
Clearly False Fact check).
Trump began the debate focusing on Harris, but by the exhausting second hour, the debate had become entirely about Trump. Harris was sure of it, the moderators were sure of it, but most important to their plans, Trump was sure of it.
To be clear, Harris didn't win anything big. There's no “I'm paying for this mic.”
for a momentNo, “I don't really know what he said… and I don't think he knows it either.” Plus, Trump is a well-known figure. Is anyone surprised that that hasn't changed when he rambles or talks like it's about himself?
But this was Harris' first public appearance before the American public. For her, the stakes were incredibly high: Trump could have ended this election on Tuesday night. But both sides will have to survive in their own trenches for the next two months.
For more details
poorHarris' team Challenge Trump to a second debateIf that is legitimate and even remotely fair, there is no reason for Trump not to answer the call.
Federalist:Nevada Supreme Court grants Democratic request to ban Green Party from 2024 election
Federalist:Harris' platform declares war on the U.S. Supreme Court
Sign up for the Bedford newsletter
Sign up to receive Blaze Media's Senior Political Editor Christopher Bedford's newsletter.
