In a recent presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris demonstrated a commanding presence against former President Donald Trump. However, her performance failed to sway a significant portion of undecided voters, according to a Reuters report.
The debate, held on September 10, 2024, comes less than two months before the November 5 presidential election. This event marks a crucial moment in the campaign, as both candidates vie for support in key battleground states where the race remains tight.
Reuters interviewed ten undecided voters before and after the debate to gauge its impact. Surprisingly, six of these voters indicated they would now either vote for Trump or were leaning in that direction. Only three expressed support for Harris, while one remained undecided.
The primary concern among these voters was the perceived lack of specificity in Harris's economic proposals. Five interviewees found her responses on improving the U.S. economy and addressing the high cost of living to be vague. This issue is particularly significant given that the cost of living has been a top concern for many Americans, with inflation reaching multi-decade highs in recent years.
Mark Kadish, a 61-year-old entrepreneur from Florida, expressed his frustration:
"I still don't know what she is for. There was no real meat and bones for her plans."
The debate held particular importance for Harris, as a recent New York Times/Siena College poll revealed that over a quarter of likely voters feel they lack sufficient knowledge about her. This contrasts sharply with the well-known Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021.
Interestingly, those who shifted towards Trump cited greater trust in his economic policies, despite personal reservations about his character. Many of these voters reported better financial situations during his presidency and found his proposal to tax foreign imports appealing, although economists caution that such measures could potentially raise prices.
Harris did mention some specific policies, including tax benefits for families and small businesses. However, her debate strategy appeared to focus more on critiquing Trump rather than elaborating on her own policy proposals. This approach may have backfired with some voters, like Robert Wheeler, a 48-year-old security firm executive from Nevada, who said:
"I felt like the whole debate was Kamala Harris telling me why not to vote for Donald Trump instead of why she's the right candidate."
Despite the mixed reactions, Harris did gain some supporters. Meredith Marshall, a self-employed individual from Los Angeles, appreciated Harris's plans to assist small business owners, even though she had hoped for more detailed economic discussions.
As the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American vice president in U.S. history, Harris faces unique challenges and scrutiny. The debate's outcome suggests that she may need to provide more comprehensive policy proposals to win over undecided voters in the coming weeks.
With the election likely to be decided by a small margin in key swing states, the ability to convince these undecided voters could prove crucial in determining the next occupant of the White House.