“It was so nice to see someone speak in complete sentences for once,” and the “queen of memes” continues to hold her ground — with plans!
Over 67 million people watched this week’s televised debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Viewership from seventeen networks all showed a similar trend: Harris’s debate with Trump was must-see TV. About 24% more people — around 16 million watchers — tuned in to see the debate between the former president and current vice president, showing the reignited energy after Harris became the party’s presidential nominee after last month’s DNC in Chicago.
The weeks since that confetti-sprinkled August convention have seen millions of dollars donated to her presidential campaign; what can only be described as a perfect social media campaign strategy; a groundswell of support; a rallying around Harris, particularly among independent voters; and “hope” entering our collective outlooks.
Wednesday’s debate held on ABC News, which was fairly moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis was the culmination of the above. Or, rather: It was the most glaring PSA against a Trump presidency yet.
He came across as incoherent, a rambling mess propelled by narcissism. He spewed misinformation and conspiracy theories when confronted with facts and figures. His plans? Concepts.
She, on the other hand, spoke in fully fleshed-out thoughts anchored in realism. Her gazes toward him were searing, her hand gestures were perfect. She did, in fact, have plans — and not gauzy notions of what they might be.
San Franciscans shared similar thoughts on the debate, most of whom were delighted to hear someone “speak in complete sentences” again. We canvassed a few local debate watchers to get their takes on the evisceration of a 78-year-old man on live television.
“It was so nice to see someone speak in complete sentences for once. I had forgotten how low we’ve all set our expectations for these presidential debates. July’s debate left me feeling hopeless because we were choosing between two old white men. Now we have a BIPOC woman who isn’t afraid to look that orange thing in the face.” — Molly A.
“I got to be honest, I got stoned before the debate. I lost it when Trump mentioned people were eating pets [in Ohio], and Kamala’s reaction was priceless. The memes!” — Abbey Brighton
“Their closing remarks spoke volumes. On the one hand, you had a candidate who made a case that they’d be a president for all people and reminded viewers that you don’t have to spew hate. Then you had one candidate who said nothing about unity and just attacked the other’s remarks and made no effort to add context to what ‘concepts of a plan’ they were talking about earlier.” — Zachary T.
“Man, fuck that wannabe dictator. She put him in his place, which was in a corner.” — Nick Maddux
“It’s crazy to think that even after that performance, people will still vote for Trump.” — David Baltz
“As far as I’m concerned, there was only one clear winner during that debate. I wish each of them would’ve focused more on policies and issues, especially about the housing crisis, but I understand that Kamala was on the defense almost the entire time. Trump had no idea what he was talking about. He came after her … and didn’t make eye contact with her. It all came across as cowardly.” — Brent Nathan
“Our queen of memes isn’t going anywhere.” — Anthony C.
“I’ve lived in San Francisco for thirty-seven years in the same apartment. I recently found a poster from Obama’s 2008 Presidential run. I hung it up on my television. When I was watching the debate, I felt that sense of hope again. It’ll be my seventieth birthday in December, but I still will dance in the Castro when she becomes the president-elect. I’m happy to vote for her.” — Edith Renz
“Are the pets in Springfield doing OK?” — anonymous
Feature image: Screenshot via ABC News
