Erin Grant & Lilyana Vasquez
Staff Writers
In a political showdown that captured the nation’s attention, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris faced off in a highly anticipated debate.
Trump, known for his populist rhetoric, clashed with Harris, an advocate for progressive policies, in a debate that left voters with plenty to consider ahead of the 2024 election cycle. Three main topics took center stage: economy, healthcare and national security.
Harris discussed her plan for rebuilding the middle class and creating an opportunity economy. She frequently mentions the issue of housing affordability, particularly for young families.
Trump declared that he plans to pursue policies that would eliminate taxes on tips, overtime and income from Social Security.
Trump continued to refute Harris’ claims, doubling down on his statement that his administration had a more successful economy than today. In regards to higher prices because of tariffs, Trump says that there won’t be higher prices for Americans because the higher prices will be on China and other countries that have been ripping off the United States.
Shifting from economic policies to social issues, the debate also addressed the deeply contentious topic of abortion, sparked by the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Harris stood firm on protecting and reinstating Roe v. Wade. According to Harris, the Republican Party doesn’t believe in exceptions to pro-life policies, and plans to pass a national abortion ban to enforce Republican values on abortion, such as the belief in the sanctity of life from conception. Kamala concluded her time by pledging that she will sign any bill that congress passes reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade.
Trump frequently criticizes Harris for illegal border crossings reaching a record high number under the Biden administration. In response, Harris highlighted a border security bill which would have added 1,500 border agents on the border to reduce the amount of fentanyl entering the United States. This bill also allocated additional resources to enable the prosecution of transnational criminal organizations involved in gun, drug and human trafficking.
Although the debate has concluded, there are still several young voters that are struggling to make decisions. Samantha Sharp, a current Florida Southern student, is one of them. She felt a lot of her questions weren’t answered.
“[The candidates] ran in circle and they went off topic very easily,” Sharp said. “I never felt like the questions were solved.”
Ultimately, the debate between Trump and Harris provided a clear contrast in their visions for the country’s future. From the economy and healthcare to abortion rights and border security, the two candidates highlighted the key issues shaping the 2024 election. Despite their strong stances, both sidestepped critical questions, leaving voters to grapple with the deeper implications of their policies as the election approaches.
