PITTSBURGH — Republicans in Steel City began their debate night with optimism, but the mood shifted to disappointment and silence after former President Donald Trump faced off with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Erin Koper noted that neither side excelled, but Harris exceeded her expectations, finding her comfort zone. Allegheny County GOP chair and county councilman Sam DeMarco felt Trump missed many opportunities to challenge Harris effectively.
The Allegheny County GOP gathered 120 swing-state Republicans and Trump supporters at the Steel Mill Saloon. They anticipated a strong performance from Trump, which didn’t materialise.
I was actually disappointed in Trump. He allowed Harris to goat him into a defensive posture. He needed to keep the focus of the debate on her lack of policy and her lack of vision.
— JDMatthew (@jdrm6226) September 11, 2024
DeMarco highlighted Trump’s overconfidence and missed chances, especially on immigration. Ken Roberts, a sales professional, pointed out another missed opportunity when neither Trump nor ABC asked Harris about her knowledge of the president’s incapacitation. He maintained that it was still “Trump’s race to lose.”
Others were less certain. Todd Bray, a retired airline pilot, felt Harris seemed more knowledgeable and better prepared, potentially swaying some opinions. His wife Victoria, however, noted Harris didn’t detail how she would effect change.
Mike Hallowran, an analyst at Giant Eagle, believed Trump lost, but Harris didn’t necessarily win. Before the debate, he anticipated Harris would quickly laugh when speaking, implying she was being hidden. Post-debate, he echoed Harris’s message to move forward and criticised Trump for dwelling on the past and questioning the 2020 election.
Ron Gregrich, a retired teacher, thought Trump’s remarks about migrants eating pets were unhelpful. Trump’s base might appreciate his points, but independents might not, Hallowran observed.
During the debate, when Trump questioned Harris’s heritage, a woman in the bar shouted that Harris wasn’t black. James Hayes, running to unseat Rep. Summer Lee, dismissed identity politics, emphasising his American identity over race.
The atmosphere turned somber when the debate touched on Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Ken Maleski, a retired forester, excitedly reacted to Trump’s comments about Ashli Babbitt’s death, but acknowledged most rioters were older individuals like himself, though he wasn’t present.
Gregrich felt Trump’s policies were superior, suggesting that reading transcripts would favour Trump, much like the radio versus television debate between Nixon and Kennedy. He noted Harris’s visual appeal might resonate more with viewers, contrasting with Trump’s dour appearance.
By the end of the night, the initial cheer had faded among the watch-party attendees.
What Other Media Are Saying
- HuffPost covers Republicans’ mixed reactions to Trump’s debate performance, noting his lack of plans and memes generated, with some seeing it as a missed opportunity but others believing it won’t significantly affect the election outcome.(read more)
- The Arizona Republic provides an overview of the presidential debate, highlighting Trump’s poor performance and the conservative backlash against the moderators.(read more)
- Al Jazeera reports that Trump supporters got ‘red meat’ but Harris earned Taylor Swift’s endorsement, highlighting the divergent reactions to the debate.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How did Trump perform in the debate against Kamala Harris?
Trump’s performance was seen as overconfident with many missed opportunities.
What did people think of Kamala Harris in the debate?
Harris was seen as knowledgeable and better prepared, surpassing some expectations.
Did the debate change any opinions?
Some attendees felt Harris may have changed a few opinions while Trump didn’t gain ground.
What were key criticisms of Trump’s debate performance?
Critics noted his overconfidence and missed opportunities to challenge Harris effectively.
What was the reaction to the debate discussion on Jan. 6 Capitol riot?
The room went quiet, with mixed reactions about Trump’s comments on the riot.