The Rise of Harris
In the 1960 U.S. presidential election, two unique candidates faced each other, both possessing distinctive qualities. However, the charismatic character of one had to be seen on visual media to decisively pave the way to the White House.
John F. Kennedy was very fortunate that the 1960 presidential election marked the first time U.S. electoral debates were held and broadcast on visual and audio media.
The 1960 electoral debate was unique because the opinions of those who watched it on visual media differed slightly from those who listened to it on the radio.
John F. Kennedy’s charismatic and distinctive appearance captivated the hearts of the American people, while Richard Nixon, being unwell, appeared weaker compared to Kennedy due to his pale and tired look.
Interestingly, contrary to the viewers who considered Kennedy the clear winner of the debate, radio listeners tended to lean towards Nixon’s superiority.
Electoral debates are an excellent tool for understanding the programs, character, and personality of presidential candidates, although in recent cycles, less focus is placed on their main programs.
In debates, candidates’ understanding of the people, domestic issues, and their views on foreign policy are well showcased, allowing undecided voters to reach a necessary conclusion for their final choice.
If Ronald Reagan’s charming character and eloquence managed to make Jimmy Carter a one-term president, then Bill Clinton’s dynamic, youthful, and eloquent personality led George Herbert Walker Bush towards defeat.
Debates do not necessarily and solely determine the victory or defeat of presidential candidates in America, but they can influence the votes of presidential candidates.
After Joe Biden withdrew from running again, largely due to his weak performance in the pre-election debate and the opinions of Democratic Party elites regarding the results from this debate, Kamala Harris on September 10th got the opportunity to elevate herself from the position of Vice President to President.
The Harris-Trump debate, contrary to many viewers’ expectations, began with Harris attacking Trump. While Trump could easily convince his staunch supporters in the absence of an opponent, he appeared less lively than his rival in the first electoral debate.
If Kamala Harris needed to introduce herself more to the American people, Trump did not have this requirement, as his personality and domestic and foreign approaches had become entirely clear to the American people during his presidency.
Therefore, Kamala Harris’s motivation in the September 10th debate was greater than Donald Trump’s. Harris was ready to prove to the party and Democratic supporters that she was not chosen as a replacement for the aging Joe Biden without reason.
For this reason, she constantly tried to verbally pressure Donald Trump to make him angry, a tactic in which she was somewhat successful.
Regarding the September 10th debate, even Republican publications did not label Harris as the loser and instead attempted to critique the questions posed to her, even on a network more inclined toward the Democrats. However, none of them spoke of a decisive victory for Trump or a defeat for Kamala Harris.
The most important message of the September 10th debate was that Kamala Harris could reach the White House, although both she and her campaign still need to make further efforts.
In the end, if Harris becomes president, she should not forget that her launch to the White House began in Philadelphia, the populous city of the pivotal state of Pennsylvania, the state whose electoral votes can be among the most decisive for reaching the White House.
