In a highly anticipated presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the two candidates clashed on a variety of issues for 90 minutes. Surprisingly, not once did they mention California, a state that has been targeted by conservatives in attacks against Harris. The absence of California from the debate was unexpected by some political experts, as Trump has often criticized Harris for being a liberal Californian out of touch with swing-state voters. Despite this, Harris did highlight her experience as California’s attorney general, emphasizing her record of prosecuting criminal organizations.
Throughout the debate, Trump made unsubstantiated claims about undocumented immigrants, inflation, and the 2020 election. He repeatedly attacked Harris, calling her the “worst vice president” in American history. In contrast, Harris focused on policy discussions and urged Americans to move beyond name-calling. Political analysts believe that her decision not to bring up California and her past positions in the state helped her appear presidential to a national audience.
Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom re-entered the presidential campaign fray, supporting Harris and contrasting her with Trump in media appearances before and after the debate. Newsom, who was an enthusiastic supporter of President Joe Biden, had taken a step back from the campaign trail after Biden withdrew. With the debate over, attention now turns to how the performances of Harris and Trump will impact the race for the presidency.
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