Economist Podcasts
Open to debate: Harris and Trump clash
Sep 13, 2024
Join James Bennet, a columnist for The Economist, and Owen Winter, a political data scientist, as they dissect the fiery clash between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. They explore the debate's potential impact on the 2024 election, scrutinizing each candidate's rhetorical style. Bennet highlights Harris's strategic moments, while Winter delves into polling data and the electoral landscape. The duo offers insights into how communication shapes public perception and the complexities of voter sentiment in a tightly contested race.
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Quick takeaways
- The debate showcased contrasting styles, with Harris leveraging her prosecutorial background to redirect scrutiny towards Trump's record, effectively engaging the audience.
- Despite post-debate polling indicating Harris's favorability, historical patterns suggest that debate performances don't always lead to significant shifts in voter sentiment.
Deep dives
The First Televised Presidential Debate
The commonly held belief is that the first televised presidential debate occurred between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960, but an earlier debate featured Eleanor Roosevelt and Senator Margaret Chase Smith. This debate, which took place four years prior, was significant not only for its historical context but also because it featured two influential women representing their respective parties amid the Suez Crisis. With foreign policy dominating the conversation, Roosevelt, as the former First Lady, was a prominent presence while Smith defended President Dwight Eisenhower's legacy. This moment in political history set the stage for ongoing media coverage and public engagement in political debates.
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