Unfortunately There’s a Debate Tonight
What to watch for tonight: Hopefully, both candidates will appear cogent and awake, which will be a welcome change from last time.
That’s not to say either is a great debater or speaker. It was back in 2019 that former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D–Hawaii)—then an actual Democrat vs. a Fox News talking head—forced Vice President Kamala Harris into a defensive crouch, saying Harris owed apologies to people who “suffered under [her] reign” as prosecutor, which Harris responded to ineptly.
Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has been on a tear lately, holding a press conference on Friday during which he…reminded voters of all the sexual assault and harassment allegations against him, which is seemingly not in his best interest. (“The former president also repeatedly implied he would not have assaulted two of his accusers due to their looks,” read a clinical Associated Press write-up of the conference.)
Though the candidates are neck and neck in the polls, Trump has had a bad August. Harris, meanwhile, was able to ride a bit of Democratic National Convention news cycle momentum but is now concerned about the debate format.
“Kamala Harris had planned to object, fact-check and directly question Donald Trump while he was speaking during their debate next week,” reports Politico. “But now, with rules just finalized to mute the candidates when their opponents speaks, campaign officials said Harris advisers are scrambling to rewrite their playbook.”
As for the issues themselves…Harris, as of this week, has populated her website with actual policy positions. We’ll see now whether she can actually answer for them.
Expect border issues to be front and center during this debate, specifically Harris’ record as border czar. Her campaign—and an obsequious mainstream media—has downplayed her role, claiming actually she was in charge of tackling the deeper root causes, so none of the chaos is truly her fault. The Biden/Harris administration has seen a record influx of migrants at the southern border, which they attempted to crack down on via a June executive order that placed restrictions on asylum seekers.
Expect economic issues to be highlighted, too. Trump will most likely look to ding Harris on the rampant inflation that has the made cost of living far higher under the Biden administration. But they’ve both converged on a broader gospel of economic populism—neither is a fan of free markets, and both want certain types of protectionism and economic interventionism. (Trump’s tariffs would cause certain economic ruin, if imposed; but, of course, tariffs are woefully unsexy, so we’ll see how much airtime such things get tonight.)
Abortion, a topic Harris’ campaign has attempted to ding Trump on, will also likely be emphasized, especially with Trump’s recent vows to provide free in vitro fertilization to those who seek it and his opposition to Florida’s more restrictive abortion laws. (Another area of s
Article from Latest
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.