Opinion Express View: Facing off with Trump

The psychological battle that was Tuesday night’s US presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris began the day before. The former mocked his Democratic opponent’s height on his social media platform, saying that “cheating” tactics like standing on boxes or using artificial lifts won’t be allowed at the event. At 6 foot 3 inches, the former president and Republican nominee has used his imposing figure in the past, most notably when he stalked his then-opponent Hillary Clinton on stage during a 2016 face-off. At the end of Tuesday’s debate, however, it was the more diminutive Harris who emerged the taller figure, confidently cementing her position as a strong, credible candidate in the White House race. She expertly parried blows over her role in the current unpopular administration while landing more than a few jabs about her increasingly irate opponent’s positions on some of the most important issues in the US today, such as abortion rights.

This was no easy task, considering her late entry into the race, in July, following Joe Biden’s disastrous debate with Trump the previous month. Harris carried the double burden of having to underline her difference not only from the man she was running against, but also the one who is currently her boss. She left the job of distinguishing her candidature from Trump’s mostly to him — goading him into incoherence, conspiracy theories and lies by bringing up his legal troubles, friendships with “dictators who would eat you for lunch” like Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the size of the crowd at his rallies. On Biden, Harris had trickier terrain to navigate. Despite his brief, ill-fated candidature this year, the US president remains a respected figure among Democrats. Without quite criticising his policies, and his handling of the economy in particular, Harris emphasised her plan for an “opportunity economy” and spoke of representing a new generation of leadership that would “turn the page” on the past. She deflected or maintained a strategic silence on issues, like climate policy, that could cause unease among some voters. It was a balancing act that would reassure existing Democratic voters, while opening up space for the undecided.

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Harris’s assured performance has turned what was a one-horse race six weeks ago into a more equal contest. For voters who might have hoped to glean more about each nominee’s policies, the debate had little to offer. Harris promised to be tougher on immigration than in 2020, but that was in keeping with the present administration’s stand. Trump vowed to continue pursuing an isolationist foreign policy and dismantling the Affordable Care Act. In a debate that was more about projection than plans, voters are likely to be persuaded by the personality of the nominees. After Tuesday, Harris cuts a compelling figure.