The Ali/Frazier “Thrilla in Manila” it was not, but the long-anticipated debate between the two candidates vying to be the next President of the United States had more than its share of knockdowns, body blows, uppercuts, low blows and standing eight counts.
Current Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, sparred against former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump. Interviewed attendees of the “Great Debate Watch Party,” sponsored by the Defender Network and held at the iconic Ensemble Theatre (3535 Main Street, Houston, 77002), were unanimous regarding who they declared the debate winner. The Defender’s participation in the debate was due in part to a grant from the American Press Institute Civic Discourse and Community Voices Fund.
BEFORE THE DEBATE
But even before the debate fireworks got started, many present already knew what they were looking for.
“I am really looking for Kamala just to really lay out her platform and talk about the issues that are important to Americans,” said AKA member Nomathemba Chapman Armstrong. “I’m interested in her defending our democracy. I am not interested in hearing her and the former president to go back and forth in a tit-for-tat conversation.”
Ernest Walker, general manager of KTSU 90.9 FM, hoped for the same, plus candidates’ plans for engaging young voters.
AND THE WINNER IS…
According to TSU student and Alpha Phi Alpha member Michael Vouffo, the winner was “clearly Kamala Harris.”
“You could definitely tell from all her main arguments against Trump, she had a plan that she’s intending to adapt, while with [Trump], he wouldn’t acknowledge his plan, especially trying to disconnect himself from Project 2025 that he’s been trying to promote for so long.”
Gen X member David Williams agreed that Harris emerged victorious and for multiple reasons, including stage presence, clear delivery of messages, and willingness to be precise and detailed in her plans.
“She gave background, she gave history, she was detailed in recalling the history, and she also gave time so that she compared her plans to her opponent’s plans, or the lack thereof, and she was just clear and articulate in what she intends to do for this country,” said Williams who appreciated what he described as Harris’s message of unity.
“Kamala Harris definitely won tonight’s debate just by staying on topic,” said TSU Broadcast Major, Erin Slaughter. “Donald Trump, again, avoided every serious question, and [Harris] answered all the questions that we needed her to answer.”
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Though “Great Debate” attendees were of one mind regarding what one attendee described as a Harris takedown of Trump, their reasons varied, as did their assessment of debate standout moments.
“My favorite moment would probably be whenever Kamala Harris would answer a question and pause for a second to address Trump’s allegations he tried to make against her, acknowledging what’s truth and what’s false,” said Youffo.
For Slaughter, the debate highlight didn’t come from either candidate.
“My favorite moments were when the moderators kept correcting Donald Trump. He says a lot of lies and he doesn’t stay on track. Like at NABJ, the moderators weren’t as quick to shut him down. So, I think in this debate they were on top of shutting him down.”
CANDIDATE ASSESSMENTS
The assessment of Trump’s performance varied, as did opinions on where Harris needs to come stronger.
Youffo reduced Trump’s entire debate performance to a one-word strategy – deflect.
“This was a good foundation for getting clear what [Harris’s] plan is against the Republican Party,’ he added.
Williams gave both Harris and Trump passing grades, with Trump earning an A and Harris an A+.
“[Harris] actually did better than even I expected, and I’m supporting her 100%… she gave more details tonight than I’ve heard before. She was very confident about the message that she was conveying… and I thought she did a fabulous job of not allowing [Trump] to get her off track. She stayed on point. She stayed on purpose.”
Williams, an ardent Harris supporter, gave Trump an A as well because he gave viewers “authentic Trump.”
“He told us who he really is. He didn’t change his message. He did exactly what we expected him to do. He just resorted to name-calling. He wasn’t specific in any details. He kept talking about the same issues over and over and over again.”
Compared to Williams, Slaughter was slightly less gracious when grading Harris, to whom she gave a B.
“I think she touched on great points, but… when she talked about things I don’t think she touched on the most important things that young voters need to hear her say to vote her as the next POTUS.’
Slaughter wanted to hear Harris speak more to the funding of HBCUs and life prospects after graduation.
“With young voters, our voice matters. We want to hear how our future will be protected when it comes in terms of jobs. When we go to graduate, we want to know that there will be jobs for us.”
Though the Great Debate Watch Party was a nonpartisan event, the crowd seemed to side with one candidate over the other. Attendees’ overall assessment of the debate: Trump was Trump; Harris was presidential.
DEBATE EXCERPTS
During the debate Harris said Trump has led the “worst attack on democracy since the Civil War,” and she pledged to be a president for all people.
Trump said he had nothing to do with the controversial Project 2025, and claimed his administration “did a phenomenal job with the pandemic” despite the soaring U.S. COVID death rates that followed him saying it would go away and wasn’t a real threat.
During one of the many times Trump said, “Crime in this country is through the roof,” Harris responded, “That’s rich,” before reciting the many crimes for which Trump was impeached twice and became a 34-time convicted felon.
When asked if he had any regrets about his handling of Jan. 6, 2021, the day of the Capitol Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Trump said he “had nothing to do with it” and that “Nancy Pelosi is fully responsible.”
ELECTION EXCITEMENT
Less than two months remain until the official Election Day (Nov. 5). Early voting takes place from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1. And from the feel of “Great Debate” attendees those dates can’t arrive soon enough.
“I’m more excited now than I was before I saw this debate… [Harris has] surpassed the threshold, at least in my mind, of what is required in order to show the leadership that this country desperately needs right now, and in direct contrast to the chaos and divisiveness of Donald Trump. I’m very excited and looking to get more involved in her campaign,” added Williams.
