Kamala Harris entered Tuesday night’s presidential debate with a clear strategy: to assert dominance and unsettle Donald Trump. Her approach was evident from the start, as she boldly crossed the stage in Philadelphia to demand a handshake, signaling her intent to control the narrative and challenge an opponent known for his commanding presence.
In the hours following the debate, pundits and media outlets have extensively analyzed Harris’s tactics—her probing of Trump, her derisive laughter, and her personal jabs that led to Trump’s visible frustration. The widespread praise for Harris’s performance reflects the effectiveness of her strategy, with instant polls indicating a strong showing in her favor. However, despite this aggressive approach, the debate ultimately focused more on style than substance.
Before the debate, polls showed that voters were eager to hear more about Harris’s stance on key issues. Her campaign has been criticized for lacking detailed policy proposals. While Harris did present some economic plans during the debate—such as a $6,000 child tax credit, a $50,000 tax cut for small businesses, and $25,000 for first-time homebuyers—these were not new revelations. Her criticism of Trump’s tariffs was also a familiar talking point.
When pressed about why the Biden administration, in which she has served for nearly four years, has maintained some of Trump’s tariffs, or how she plans to address inflation—an issue of significant voter concern—Harris did not provide detailed answers.
Trump, on the other hand, attempted to exploit Harris’s policy weaknesses by labeling her economic plans as Marxist. However, his response soon devolved into a discussion on illegal immigration, a topic he has frequently highlighted. This focus on immigration did not translate into concrete policy proposals, leaving many questions unanswered about his plans for deportation and other key issues.
Overall, the debate was marked by sharp exchanges and heated rhetoric, but it offered little in terms of clear policy proposals from either candidate. One striking moment came when Trump, after years of promising to repeal the Affordable Care Act, admitted he had no concrete plan for its replacement, merely “concepts.”
As a result, voters were left with an impression of the candidates’ demeanor and debating styles but little clarity on their specific plans for governance.
