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Insight News • September 16, 2024 - September 22, 2024 • Page 1
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Insight News
September 16, 2024 - September 22, 2024
Vol. 51 No. 38• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
HARRIS DOMINATES
Screen capture from ABC News feed of the debate
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris during their first presidential debate Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
Harris dominates as Trump struggles By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Vice President Kamala Harris decisively took control of the first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, delivering a performance that put Trump on the defensive for much of the evening. Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News kept a tight handle on the debate, significantly improving from CNN’s June handling of Trump and President Joe Biden. The debate began with a surprise as Harris approached
Trump to shake his hand and introduced herself as “Kamala Harris,” an unusual move that set the tone for the night. Trump’s trademark scowl stayed in place throughout the debate, as Harris pressed him on his legal woes and diminished his record. Displaying her prosecutorial skills, Harris consistently turned the conversation toward Trump’s convictions, his business fraud case, and his role in the January 6 insurrection. Harris positioned herself as a problem-solver, taking on issues like housing, childcare, and the economy. In her opening statement, she outlined her “opportunity economy” plan, which focuses on bolstering the middle class.
“I was raised as a middle-class kid, and I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America,” Harris said. She detailed a $6,000 child tax credit as part of her plan to support young families. Trump, by contrast, criticized the Biden-Harris economy, calling it “the worst period of time” he had seen. He defended his tariff policies and took aim at Harris, labeling her a “Marxist” while also accusing her of copying his economic policies. “I was going to send her a MAGA hat,” Trump quipped. Abortion rights were another major focus of the
night. Trump, when asked if he would veto a federal abortion ban, declined to answer directly, stating, “I won’t have to,” and arguing that the end of Roe v. Wade had satisfied everyone. Harris, in turn, vowed to restore Roe’s protections through federal legislation if elected. “I pledge to you: when Congress passes a bill to put back in place the protections of Roe v. Wade as President of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law,” she said. As the debate went on, Trump repeated several conspiracy theories, including a claim that migrants were eating pets in U.S. cities, which Muir quickly fact-checked. Trump doubled down, citing
“people on television” as his source. Harris largely let Trump’s more outlandish statements pass, opting to stay on policy while allowing the moderators to address his factually inaccurate remarks. In one of the most heated moments, Harris invited viewers to attend a Trump rally for themselves, commenting, “He talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter and windmills causing cancer. You’ll notice people start leaving his rallies early—out of exhaustion and boredom.” Trump, visibly irritated, retorted that he holds “the most incredible rallies in the history of politics,” but the debate soon returned
to more substantive issues like crime and inflation. The night clearly contrasted Biden’s earlier debate with Trump, as Harris managed to keep Trump on the defensive. Trump continued to fixate on conspiracy theories and past grievances, while Harris stayed focused on presenting her vision for the future. With fewer than 60 days until the election, the debate sets the tone for what will likely be a hard-fought campaign. As the debate ended, Harris closed with a message to the American people: “This is about who we are as a country. The choice is clear—between chaos and leadership, fear and hope.”
Watch party witnesses Harris eviscerate Trump Last week in Minneapolis, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, State House Majority Leader Jamie Long, and over 170 Harris-Walz and DFL supporters gathered to watch Vice President Kamala Harris take on Donald Trump at the much anticipated presidential debate. The Harris-Walz Campaign, in a news release following Tuesday night’s debate, said, “Minnesotans saw exactly what kind of president Kamala Harris will be: one who offers a New Way Forward for the country, who will be a president for all Americans, and who will turn the page once and for all on the darkness and division of Donald Trump. She reminded Minnesotans and the American people that she is the only candidate in this race ready to serve as our next Commander-in-Chief.” MPR News reporters Ellie Roth and Mark Zdechlik reported the audience’s range of emotions was revealed when the debate covered the candidates’ differing positions on abortion. “Outrage followed former President Trump’s responses and loud approval came after Harris’ answers,” they reported. “One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that the government and Donald Trump
certainly should not be telling a woman what to do,” Harris said to cheers. Social media posts: Javier Morillo: Standing room only at the Harris-Walz debate watch party in Minneapolis, the city that, listening to Trump, you’d think no longer exists Governor Tim Walz: Tonight, Kamala Harris showed America that she’s ready to be the next commander-in-chief. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan: Donald Trump refuses to answer whether or not he would sign a national abortion ban. I think that tells the women of America all they need to know. Senator Amy Klobuchar: Harris: I intend to be a President for all Americans. She effectively made the case to the country— Democrats, Independents and yes, Republicans. Senator Tina Smith: Amazing job by Vice President Harris tonight, never losing her focus on the American people and fighting for them — even as Donald Trump flailed and wailed. Representative Ilhan Omar: she got him Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy: I expected @
Photo courtesy from the Harris/Walz campaign
The Main Cinema watch party in Minneapolis. KamalaHarris to shine in this debate and she is, brilliantly. She is prepared to lead this
nation. She is ready to lead for the people. #JoyFightWin Minnesota House
Majority Leader Jamie Long: Kamala crushed it. She took the case directly to Trump tonight
and won handily. Confidence and optimism vs darkness and division. We’re not going back!