Former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris squared off in the one and only expected presidential debate on Sept. 10 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
In an election that is considered to be a “dead heat” by pollsters, a debate could be the difference between a make-or-break campaign. Georgia, a state that consistently voted Republican for president in every election from 1996 until Joe Biden’s narrow victory in 2020, remains a crucial battleground that could determine the next occupant of the White House.
The night began with the candidates shaking hands before taking their podiums to discuss America’s most pressing matters. ABC News anchor David Muir opened by asking Vice President Harris, “Do you believe Americans are better off than they were four years ago,” a thought-provoking inquiry that may range in responses depending on who is asked.
John McDaniel, a Georgia voter, thought Vice President Harris dodged the question. “While I think it’s appropriate for voters to understand her background being raised in a middle-class household, I didn’t hear much of an answer to the question that was posed by the moderator.”
The discourse that followed brought an abundance of unverified claims, from economic policy to social issues, which didn’t go unnoticed by viewers.
“It seemed like they both were at times struggling to stay on topic and began veering into nonsense that had nothing to do with the prompt.” – Charles Moore, Georgia Voter
The overall rules of the debate called for microphones to be muted while the opposition was speaking, limiting interruptions during a time of fierce polarization. These regulations came as a result of the first debate between Donald Trump and now-incumbent Joe Biden.
Sandra Mills, another Georgia voter, added to this topic. “While I didn’t mind the rules as they were set, it seemed like a monologue where they had to include their rebuttal to a previous point in an argument that covered a completely different concept.”
As the race comes down to its final days, voters have a choice as to how they want the country to look over the next four years. Certain voters believe the American people should hear from the two leading candidates one more time in the remaining weeks.
“I didn’t learn much that I didn’t already know from that debate. I know right now they don’t plan on holding a second, but hopefully that changes. A townhall-style debate would be good to see since we didn’t have one from Trump and Biden in 2020.” – Christopher Scott, Georgia voter.
Early voting in Georgia begins on Oct. 15, with election day following on Nov. 5. The final day to register for Georgia locations is Oct. 7.
