The sole sparring match between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris may not have helped undecided voters in the battleground states that will determine the election, according to interviews conducted by The Post. One such voter, Kevin James, a freelance photographer from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, went into the debate undecided but leaning towards Trump. However, he came out feeling even more undecided. James wanted to hear policy solutions but felt that both candidates were just throwing jabs at each other. He believed that neither candidate would be able to unify the country.
James was particularly disappointed with Harris denying responsibility for the border crisis. He believed that honesty would go a long way with the American people at this time and that answers about the border crisis were crucial. This sentiment was echoed by Vince Palermo, a small business owner from Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania. Palermo, who voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012, Clinton in 2016, and Trump in 2020, is still undecided this year. He criticized Harris for not acknowledging her progressive flip-flopping on issues and for her facial expressions during the debate. However, he also wanted Trump to fight back harder with more facts and figures from his time in office.
In Arizona, Ethan Whitney, a musician from Phoenix, felt defeated while watching the debate. He believed that both candidates were lying and that Trump said some things that were unhinged. Despite this, he felt that Harris clearly won the debate, citing her eloquence and ability to speak about her plans for office. However, Whitney was skeptical of her true opinions and ideas on policies, specifically regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. He believed that she was using rhetoric to convince swing state voters rather than presenting her genuine stance.
Heavenly, a higher-education administrative professional from Surprise, Arizona, thought that Trump may have held it together enough to gain some RFK (Robert F. Kennedy) voters. However, she didn’t think he gained anyone other than that. She felt that Harris was well-prepared and spoke and looked pleasant, while Trump appeared grouchy and failed to answer questions effectively. Heavenly compared him to a teenage boy who puts others down to make himself look better.
David Kapanke, a retired commercial insurance underwriter from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, started the campaign cycle as an undecided voter. His top issues were immigration and reducing crime and gun violence. However, he ultimately decided not to vote due to the perceived danger present on both sides of the aisle. Watching the debate didn’t change his mind, as he felt alienated by both Trump and Republicans and Biden-Harris and the DNC. He also expressed a lack of credibility in the media.
Overall, it is clear that the debate did not sway these undecided voters in the battleground states. They were left feeling even more uncertain and disillusioned with both candidates. The lack of policy solutions, perceived dishonesty, and failure to address critical issues were among the reasons cited by these voters. They emphasized the need for honesty, credibility, and genuine answers from the candidates.
