By Alexandra Ulmer and Jarrett Renshaw
(Reuters) – Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump faced off on Tuesday in their first presidential debate of the 2024 presidential election. Below are reactions from political strategists, politicians, and donors:
MARC SHORT, FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF TO VP PENCE
“Trump missed an opportunity to stay focused prosecuting the case against Biden-Harris on the economy and border and instead took her bait and chased down rabbit holes on election denialism and immigrants eating our pets. Harris passed the test of looking presidential and Trump didn’t expose her historically radical positions. The impact will likely extend to competitive House races.”
KAREN FINNEY, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST
“This is going to be remembered as the one of the most impressive debate performances in modern politics. The VP is doing exactly what she needed to do: talk about her vision and policy ideas, illustrate the contrast between herself and Trump and stay out the way of his unraveling. He is rambling, making things up and spouting lies and nonsense faster than the fact checkers can keep up.”
MALCOLM KENYATTA, A STATEWIDE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IN PENNSYLVANIA
“Donald Trump is radically unhinged, and the entire world is witnessing a confused old man unravel before our eyes. It’s time to turn the page on Trump, and tonight Vice President Harris is making it clear she’s the person to do it.”
RON BONJEAN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST
“While Harris was able to get under Trump’s skin with her well-prepared attacks, it’s still not clear that she overwhelmingly convinced these voters to finally make up their minds from this exchange. The question now is how much she actually moved the needle. However, Trump didn’t do himself any favors by agreeing to do this debate.”
AMY KOCH, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST
“It is clear Trump prepped for this debate. It’s the most on message – save eating dogs departure – he has ever been. He missed (an) opportunity on immigration because of dogs and he should try to bring it back at some point.”
DAN EBERHART, REPUBLICAN DONOR
“I only saw one commander in chief on the stage. Trump looked focused, strong and in command of the issues.”
(Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Ross Colvin and Daniel Wallis)
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