Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump clashed in a combative debate on Tuesday night, offering voters a stark choice between two radically different visions for America's future.
In their first and potentially only face-to-face encounter of the 2024 campaign, Harris got under Trump's skin from the very first moment of the debate, putting out her hand to shake his hand. This stunned Trump, and it marked the beginning of a not so wonderful performance from him as he struggled to maintain his equilibrium.
Effectively, she gave Trump room plenty of to rant and launch into lengthy and nonsensical tirades and then she looked bemused, which was an excellent strategy. Trump came off looking slightly unhinged, and she came across as the mature and well-balanced adult. Even Trump supporters were forced to admit that her performance was superior to his.
Harris tried to portray Trump as a threat to democracy and women's rights, while the former president attempted to link his opponent to what he described as the failures of the Biden administration.
The debate, held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, covered a wide range of issues including abortion, immigration, and foreign policy. It was marked by frequent interruptions and personal attacks, reflecting the deep divisions that have characterized American politics in recent years.
Ms. Harris, the first woman and person of color to serve as vice president, appeared intent on drawing contrasts with Mr. Trump's combative style. She repeatedly challenged his statements, at one point turning to him and saying, "I think the American people want better than that, want better than this."
Trump continued to question the results of the 2020 election and made unsubstantiated claims about immigration and crime (and immigrants eating people's dogs). He tried to paint Ms. Harris as a "Marxist," a charge she dismissed with visible amusement.
The debate touched on several key issues that are likely to shape the election:
Abortion Rights: Harris criticized Trump for his role in appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, while Mr. Trump insisted he would not sign a national abortion ban.
Immigration: Mr. Trump focused heavily on border security, making several claims about illegal immigration that fact-checkers have disputed. Ms. Harris defended the administration's policies while acknowledging the challenges at the border.
Foreign Policy: The candidates offered differing views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Mr. Trump suggesting he could swiftly end the war and Ms. Harris emphasizing continued support for Ukraine.
The debate's impact on the race remains to be seen, but it provided voters with a clear illustration of the choices they face in November. Unfortunately for Trump, his poor performance might actually succeed in losing him voters.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, both candidates will likely intensify their efforts to win over undecided voters in key battleground states.
CNN contributed to this article.