Trump-Harris debate sums up policy-light US election

Harris did not provide an answer when asked why the Biden administration, in which she has served for nearly four years, has maintained several tariffs introduced during Trump's presidency. She also did not explain how she would address inflation, a persistent concern for many voters according to polls.

Trump’s attempt to exploit Harris's clear vulnerability (characterizing her economic policies as Marxist) was derailed when he shifted to discussing illegal immigration, stating that "bad immigration" is the worst threat to the economy. This moment typified the debate overall: while it was heated and contentious, both sides offered little substantive insight into policy.

Harris did not explain why the Biden administration, in which she has served for nearly four years, has continued several tariffs imposed by Trump. Nor did she provide a clear plan to tackle inflation, a top concern for voters.

Trump’s effort to exploit this weakness—labeling her economic policies as Marxist—was overshadowed when he shifted the focus to illegal immigration, claiming that "bad immigration" is the greatest threat to the economy.

This exchange encapsulated the entire debate: despite intense clashes, neither side offered much clarity on their policy positions.

The Trump campaign is eager to depict Harris as a radical leftist, spotlighting her past positions on banning fracking, nationalizing healthcare, and decriminalizing illegal border crossings. When pressed on her evolving policy views, Harris vowed to address each issue but only explained her support for new fracking leases to reduce reliance on foreign oil. Trump, however, missed the chance to seize on these perceived contradictions.

Rather than honing in on Harris's policy shifts, Trump found himself on the defensive, struggling to counter her attacks. He frequently reverted to his signature issue of immigration, which he considers crucial, but failed to outline a clear plan for deporting millions of undocumented migrants. His answers were filled with rhetoric but lacked specific proposals.

The debate offered the first side-by-side comparison of the two candidates, showcasing their demeanor, temperament, and body language, but it lacked meaningful discussion of their policy proposals. A revealing moment occurred when Trump, after nine years of pledging to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), admitted that he still doesn't have a replacement, only referring to "the concepts of a plan."

In the end, the debate provided voters with little more than vague ideas about what either candidate would do if elected president.