Kamala Harris recently participated in a highly anticipated vice presidential debate with Donald Trump, where she was warned about false and racist rumors that the former president might mention. During the debate, Trump falsely claimed that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating people’s pets, to which Harris reacted with disbelief. This moment became the highlight of the debate, sparking online memes and parody videos. Harris is now leveraging her performance to gain momentum for the upcoming election, hoping to reignite the energy she brought to the Democratic ticket.
While it is uncertain whether the debate will sway the outcome of the election, Harris’s team is capitalizing on the debate by creating television ads and sharing clips online. Trump has stated that he will not participate in another debate, making the one in Philadelphia potentially the only opportunity for voters to see the candidates side by side. The aftermath of the debate saw opinions of Trump unchanged according to a CNN flash poll, while Harris received a slight increase in favorability. Her team is actively promoting her performance, while Trump’s side has not shown a similar effort.
Preparations for the debate were intense, with Harris spending five days in Pittsburgh getting ready for her first in-person meeting with Trump. Her team recreated the debate set and had aides stand in for moderators and Trump. The decision to keep the microphones active at all times was made to allow Harris more opportunities to engage with Trump. During preparations, Harris displayed her expressiveness through gestures and facial expressions, opting not to rehearse specific mannerisms suggested by staff members. Despite the rigorous preparation, Harris made time for brief outings, including a visit to a spice store and a walk with her husband on a military airbase.
Before the debate, Harris exuded confidence as she left Pittsburgh and arrived in Philadelphia early. The campaign headquarters in Delaware was tense as staff gathered to watch the debate unfold on television screens. Harris’s performance during the debate was met with positive reactions, as she confidently engaged with Trump, mocked him, and presented her vision for the country. Trump, on the other hand, appeared agitated and missed opportunities to counter Harris’s arguments. As the debate concluded, Harris emphasized the difference in their visions for the country, while Trump labeled her as the “worst vice president.” Despite the lack of a live audience, Harris sought feedback from her staff on her performance, indicating her commitment to improving and connecting with voters.
