I am writing from Westmont College where I will be the guest at a debate watch party with Christian college students. Just in case that isn’t enough excitement, I thought we’d host a debate thread, as we have in the past, so that this community can watch this debate together. I’ll login at about 8:45 PM EST, but in the meantime, let us know what you’re looking for tonight. What are you hoping to hear? How are you approaching the debate? With excitement? A sense of obligation? Dread?
All I know is it will be better watching it with you than it would be otherwise.
I think this is interesting because his ability to flat line like this but the actual words being the same kind of exaggerated nonsense and fabrications. Very hard to counter calm and confident nonsense-telling.
Really wish they made trump answer for his plan on the economy that the moderator presented - actually gave facts on how his plan would hurt normal Americans and he didn't answer for it
As someone with an expressive face, I think Harris' expressions on split screen are great but I think it's gonna leave her very exposed for misogynoir-infused reactions to it.
Frankly, I do not know what kind of tone Donald Trump is going to strike tonight. I'm so curious to see what his approach to this debate will and maybe more importantly won't be.
How about which issues got the most attention? Did the top issues get the most attention? Did the candidates (or one of them) steer clear of important issues? Did the specific issues that got the most attention favor one candidate or the other?
What did y'all make of the exchange during which Harris was muted and apparently trying to interject and Trump stopped to address her attempt to interrupt? I wasn't in view of the TV as it happened so I may have misunderstood what happened.
Makes me so angry that he continues to think he has a right to talk to people that way. I wanted Harris to come back and call him out on it but probably wisely just moved on
Trump is as frustrating as anticipated. And his composure and talking points are fading.... Michael and Melissa, interested to hear how you think he's doing compared to what you expected.
One thing I found fascinating in the first 25 minutes on Trump's part is that he started his responses like a live fact-checking of Harris (according to his own facts). Muddies the waters more.
Michael said elsewhere in this thread that Trump started off even-keeled like he did in the last debate with Biden. He is absolutely prepped. Now he's raising the volume after Harris went after his rallies. -Melissa
By what mechanism is there an official host but every other network is welcome to broadcast it live? Considering I spend most of my TV energy on sports, that feels really surprising.
Trump has been pretty disciplined so far, but Harris knew bringing up his rallies would absolutely send him into a tailspin
Trump has been quite disciplined. Harris has been even more disciplined. Stark contrast to Biden in the previous debate.
...so far
I agree. Harris was smart, strategically, to provoke him on his rallies.
I thought the same thing. She knew
"Donald Trump has no plan for you" is a great line
Surprised we haven't heard that line repeatedly.
"Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people" is another attempt.
It's on January 6 in which Trump looks least responsible and Harris looks most responsible. It's this contrast that can be powerful with swing voters.
Just an incredibly methodical debate by Harris tonight
Agree, very impressed
The story of the second twenty minutes of this debate is Harris effectively baiting Trump
No way Trump maintains this level-tone for longer than 15 minutes
I think this is interesting because his ability to flat line like this but the actual words being the same kind of exaggerated nonsense and fabrications. Very hard to counter calm and confident nonsense-telling.
Joining you along with a hundred or so college students!
I am appreciating how these moderators are doing some fact checking in real time
Wow, she is just absolutely prosecutorial here. Dismantling and dissembling.
Pro-life groups are breathing a sigh of relief after that answer
well, until the very end there
He means Virginia, not West Virginia
Literally was like, who is he talking about?
Harris' face says "same old tired playbook"
Harris has presented as remarkably confident and strong on foreign policy during this campaign.
SO impressed with his much she's memorized and how strong she is coming out on foreign policy
Harris presses for the handshake!
Both of them fear mongering around abortion. Harris for sure presenting more facts and clear answers.
Really wish they made trump answer for his plan on the economy that the moderator presented - actually gave facts on how his plan would hurt normal Americans and he didn't answer for it
As a Christian who attempts to really care about the sanctity of life, the way abortion gets discussed makes me want to weep.
Agree.
💯
As someone with an expressive face, I think Harris' expressions on split screen are great but I think it's gonna leave her very exposed for misogynoir-infused reactions to it.
Fossey's last shot sails over the crossbar and the US has to settle for a disappointing and frustrating draw. Obviously top billing news atm.
My husband and I are debating (ha!) if we can have it on with our 8 and 6 year old around. Seems like no…
God bless the children!
-Michael
Frankly, I do not know what kind of tone Donald Trump is going to strike tonight. I'm so curious to see what his approach to this debate will and maybe more importantly won't be.
Yessss Trump’s tone is the probably my biggest question mark. -Melissa
Has Harris said before that she is a gunowner?
Microphone mute policy is much more lax in practice than expected?
I know- stop unmuting him!
"Trump abortion bans"
A lot of voters believe Trump is an open book. It's part of his appeal. Does Harris contest that and how?
Interesting to see if Harris contests him right now after Trump mentioned labor
So interesting that Harris leads with housing in economy answer
Smart observation here from Maya King at the NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/10/us/harris-trump-debate/b00d48f3-6247-5bfa-8cbd-8619a4bd3e4d?smid=url-share
Alright. I'm here. Let's do this!
Why is fracking the policy Trump highlights in his closing statement?
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
Fracking was so 2016.
Also, how is it that Trump is like "Fracking on all the acres here. Also, have you seen how many acres of desert those solar plants ruin?"
How about which issues got the most attention? Did the top issues get the most attention? Did the candidates (or one of them) steer clear of important issues? Did the specific issues that got the most attention favor one candidate or the other?
Am I correctly gathering that Trump is intentionally and strategically accusing Harris and Biden of each bad thing he's accused of?
My husband and I were commenting on the same thing... Is he seriously trying to do that?!?
How did y'all think each handled the topic of Israel and Palestine?
What did y'all make of the exchange during which Harris was muted and apparently trying to interject and Trump stopped to address her attempt to interrupt? I wasn't in view of the TV as it happened so I may have misunderstood what happened.
Makes me so angry that he continues to think he has a right to talk to people that way. I wanted Harris to come back and call him out on it but probably wisely just moved on
Trump is as frustrating as anticipated. And his composure and talking points are fading.... Michael and Melissa, interested to hear how you think he's doing compared to what you expected.
One thing I found fascinating in the first 25 minutes on Trump's part is that he started his responses like a live fact-checking of Harris (according to his own facts). Muddies the waters more.
Michael said elsewhere in this thread that Trump started off even-keeled like he did in the last debate with Biden. He is absolutely prepped. Now he's raising the volume after Harris went after his rallies. -Melissa
Is Trump gonna get Harris to tack moderate on abortion as she instinctively reacts "that's not true" to Trump's accusations against Walz?
yeah, no; not gonna bother coming back to say 9th month abortion is bad and shouldn't be legal
Do all channels get the same video and audio feed or have an opportunity to do their own production?
I'm assuming this is on, like, every TV channel. If so, what's a good way to decide which one to watch on?
Give ABC the respect they deserve as the official host. Or CSPAN
By what mechanism is there an official host but every other network is welcome to broadcast it live? Considering I spend most of my TV energy on sports, that feels really surprising.
Typically, the Commission on Presidential Debates, but the debates this year were negotiated directly between the networks and the campaigns