Philadelphia, PA – September 12, 2024 (Clarity Times): – IIn a high-stakes presidential debate on Tuesday night, former President Donald Trump faced off against Vice President Kamala Harris at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. This iconic location, situated in the heart of a district central to American history, hosted its first-ever presidential debate. While a relatively new attraction, the National Constitution Center is no stranger to the national spotlight.
Early polls conducted right after the debate suggest Harris came out on top, but it’s unclear if this will significantly shift the race.
According to polls conducted by FiveThirtyEight, 57% of debate watchers believed Harris performed better, while only 34% favored Trump. However, this doesn’t necessarily translate into a major polling boost for Harris. CNN/SSRS polling showed Harris’s net favorability rising slightly post-debate, but only 4% of viewers said it changed their vote.
Fact Checks:
Donald Trump made several claims about the state of the U.S. economy. He stated that inflation was “under control” during his presidency, but fact-checkers point out that inflation did rise towards the end of his term due to pandemic-related disruptions. Additionally, Trump’s assertion that the U.S. was energy independent under his administration is partially true, but the country still imported oil throughout his tenure.
Kamala Harris emphasized her role in managing the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, stating that the Biden administration got “shots in arms” quickly. While it’s true that the vaccine distribution ramped up under the Biden-Harris administration, the vaccines were developed during the Trump administration, and distribution plans were already in place before Biden took office.
Tight Race Ahead
While Harris might have won the debate in the eyes of the public, political analysts caution that the race remains tight. Historical data shows that winning a debate doesn’t always lead to election success, as seen in past elections with Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney.
The coming days will reveal whether these early impressions hold or if the debate’s impact fades. Stay tuned for more updates on this closely watched election.
