In this episode of Simplifying the State, Adam and Nicholas recap the Trump-Harris presidential debate, covering key topics such as the economy, abortion and foreign policy. They discuss major moments, share insights and explore the potential impact on the election.
Adam (00:00):
Hello, and welcome back to Simplifying the State. I’m Adam Watson. Today, we’ve got a special episode covering the presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The debate covered a range of issues: the economy, domestic policy, foreign policy, and more.
Nicholas (00:04):
And I’m Nicholas Perrin.
Adam (00:29):
We’ll start by playing some clips from the debate, beginning with a segment focused on the economy. (Clip plays.)
Adam (01:27):
You just heard Trump and Harris exchange views on economic policy. Nicholas, what’s your take on that segment?
Nicholas (01:42):
It seemed like Harris concentrated on outlining what she planned to do for Americans, while Trump focused more on criticizing her for what he claimed she wouldn’t do. He also brought up imposing tariffs on other countries as retaliation for what he says the U.S. has done for them.
Adam (02:11):
Yeah, I noticed that too. I was looking at polls and focus groups, and while many people liked Harris’s policies, they wanted more specifics. This debate was a critical opportunity for her to clarify those policies. Both candidates explained their economic views fairly well, though more detail could have helped.
Next, let’s move on to one of the most significant issues in American politics right now—abortion. Here’s a clip from the debate. (Clip plays.)
Adam (04:58):
Nicholas, what’s your take on the abortion segment?
Nicholas (05:08):
Trump made some false claims about late-term abortions, even calling them “executions after birth.” Harris, on the other hand, stressed the importance of a woman’s right to choose.
Adam (06:09):
Yeah, abortion is a tricky issue for Republicans. They have to balance between their evangelical Christian base, which pushes for abortion bans, and more moderate Republicans who hold different views. It’s a tough balancing act for Trump and for the Republican Party as a whole.
Let’s wrap up with some of the bigger moments from the debate. Here’s the final clip. (Clip plays.)
Adam (10:39):
So, we just heard a lot about foreign policy. Harris criticized Trump for his past relationship with Russia and his stance on ending wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Trump also touched on immigration and shifted positions on a few policies. Nicholas, what’s your take?
Nicholas (11:29):
Well, Trump made some outrageous statements, especially the one about immigrants eating cats and dogs. But what alarmed me the most was his response on Ukraine. When asked if he supported a Ukrainian victory in the Russo-Ukrainian war, he didn’t give a clear “yes.” Instead, he said he would “make peace” and find a compromise between Putin and Ukraine. But we know Putin’s only acceptable compromise involves territorial gains. So It seems like Trump is cozying up to dictators.
Adam (12:44):
Yeah, that was wild. Both candidates made key policy proposals—Trump on tariffs and immigration, and Harris on small business tax credits and broader economic policies. Trump has already said he won’t debate Harris again, claiming two debates were enough. But before we go, let’s touch on polling data.
Right now, Harris leads in national polls by 4-6 points. Post-debate polls show 57% of people thought Harris won, compared to 34% for Trump. While debates often feel more like entertainment than pivotal campaign moments, in a close race like this, even a small shift of 1.5 points could matter.
Nicholas (16:24):
I’d argue debates aren’t always just entertainment. Look at the Biden-Trump debate—it had a big impact on Biden’s standing. Debates can influence races.
Adam (16:54):
True, that was a unique case. In general, debates don’t usually cause huge shifts in the polls. But we’ll see how this plays out in the coming weeks. Thanks for listening, and we’ll be back next week with a new episode. Talk to you then!
