Republicans Believed Their Demands of Trump in the Debate Were Reasonable—They Were Mistaken
By [Your Name], National Review Contributor
Trump’s Performance Criticism
Donald Trump’s recent debate performance has drawn considerable criticism, notably from within his own party. Conservative commentators like Brit Hume, Erick Erickson, and Andrew McCarthy characterized his demeanor as poor, with Hume stating unequivocally, Make no mistake about it: Trump had a bad night. Observers noted that Trump often appeared incoherent, struggling to complete thoughts and sentences, while veering into self-absorbed tangents that detracted from his main messages.
Moderators’ Role and Bias Claims
During the debate, Trump claimed that moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis exhibited bias, arguing they heavily fact-checked his remarks while failing to scrutinize those made by Vice President Kamala Harris. He decried the debate as a three on one scenario and even called for ABC to be shut down for its perceived favoritism. Despite these assertions, many conservative commentators dismissed his claims of bias, choosing instead to focus on Trump’s inadequate performance as the central issue.
Harris’s Strategy and Performance
Conversely, Kamala Harris emerged from the debate with her strategy lauded as effective. Analysts observed that she adeptly baited Trump, placing him on the defensive and diverting his attention away from crucial discussions aimed at undecided voters. Harris challenged several of Trump’s statements directly, correcting false claims about Democratic policies on post-birth abortion and disparaging insinuations regarding Haitian refugees.
Post-Debate Reactions
In the aftermath, the Harris campaign expressed satisfaction with the debate’s results. Campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon stated that Harris “commanded the stage” and expressed that Trump appeared to be totally incoherent. Meanwhile, Trump indicated uncertainty about future debate participation, despite his assertions of having won the encounter.
Endorsements and Public Reaction
Almost immediately following the debate, Harris received a significant endorsement from pop sensation Taylor Swift, which could sway younger voters. The broader implications of the debate on public opinion and the election outcome remain to be evaluated. Prediction markets have shown a slight shift in favor of Harris, though the race continues to be considered highly competitive.
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