With just weeks left until the upcoming U.S. presidential election, the battle for undecided voters reached fever pitch during the much-anticipated debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on September 10, 2024. This face-off drew more than 67 million viewers, setting the stage for candidates to vie for the hearts—and votes—of those still on the fence.
The BBC spoke to eight undecided voters who tuned in for the debate. Their reflections reveal the nuances of their shifting sentiments, as well as the challenges both candidates face as they push toward November's ballot.
For Vanessa Pierce, the debate was pivotal. Initially leaning toward Trump, she left with mixed feelings. "I don't think the debate changed my opinion on voting for Trump, but I definitely am less fearful if Harris wins because I think she can handle herself and debate well. I won't change my mind before November, I'd just be less worried if she were to win," Vanessa shared, illustrating the complexity of voter perceptions.
Jeremy Petersen captured the mood of some who felt shaken by Trump’s rhetoric. "Tonight was the first night where genuinely, I would say I felt scared at the prospect of a second Trump presidency. Harris does not pose an existential threat to America like he does," he remarked. This sentiment echoes broader concerns about the tone and content of Trump’s remarks, which veered toward fearmongering about immigration and potential global conflict.
Tracy Murdock, still firmly undecided, highlighted her observations about the candidates’ communication styles. She noted, "Both candidates spoke fairly well, but I thought Kamala answered more of the questions than Trump did." Her comment reflects the importance of substance in debates—a theme many moderators and pundits echoed.
On the other hand, Mat Sokol found himself more resolved after watching the debate, albeit hesitantly. "Kamala Harris definitely did very well. I think Trump kind of did not. He lost his focus and kept rambling on where it was kind of incoherent. After last night, I think I'll vote for Kamala Harris," he said, demonstrating Harris's ability to connect, even with those who weren’t initially supportive.
Another voter, Kimberly Clark, confessed to lacking enthusiasm for either candidate. She stated, "If I could vote for no one, I probably would do it. I want to get the full facts before I do anything. I was not impressed with Trump, I won't be voting for him.” This sense of disenchantment raises questions about voter engagement and the potential impact on turnout.
William Hoekzema provided insight on how Harris’s preparation compared to Trump’s performance. “I felt like Kamala was far more prepared for this than Donald Trump,” he said. Such assessments could be telling as candidates work to refine their public presentations before the election.
Rohan Vijayan was caught between the two options, stating he felt Harris was slightly favored at 51%. Yet, he quipped, “All of this seemed pretty calculated to me, and that's not exactly what I was looking for.” This ambivalence suggests many voters are still waiting for authenticity before fully committing.
Another undecided voter, Chance Phillips, found himself disappointed by the debate structure, insisting it lacked substance. "I didn't feel like the topics were discussed in depth; it was mostly the candidates talking at each other." This critique signals voters’ desire for discussions centered around policy rather than personal jabs.
Post-debate insights were also reflected across various media platforms. A segment from BuzzFeed highlighted reactions from 17 undecided voters, emphasizing the polarization of opinions following the debate. Many indicated they still felt unclear about how they would cast their ballots. An unnamed voter noted, "I was leaning toward Harris before the debate, but now I'm voting for Trump. Harris never really explained her flip-flops."
Yet, Harris’s supporters still found comfort. Nearly two-thirds of the surveyed audience believed Harris had won the debate, though only 37% planned to vote for her, indicating the gap between performance and voter intent. Conversely, 34% felt Trump had the upper hand, with 42% expressing intentions to cast their votes for him.
Shavanaka Kelly, from Milwaukee, articulated her perceptions post-debate, reflecting on the surreal nature of Trump’s comments. "It was kind of like, ‘can you take him serious?’" she said, emphasizing the challenges Trump faces when presenting his views to undecided voters. But even Kelly noted limitations with Harris, as she felt the vice president did not create enough distinction from Biden's administration.
A couple from Pennsylvania shared their disappointment with both candidates, expressing frustration with vague policy proposals. This demonstrates the growing need for candidates to outline substantive plans, especially as Election Day nears.
On social media platforms and during local watch parties, opinions echoed similar sentiments to those of watched pundits. Various reports noted how both candidates faced scrutiny over their clarity and credibility. Observers at Harris watch parties often responded with laughter or disbelief at Trump’s assertions, showing the divide between party lines.
For voters like Carlos T. Carter, the debate revealed Trump's strong appeal through addressing working-class pain, yet he believed Harris came out on top. “Harris ate him for lunch,” he declared, showcasing the contrasting perceptions across party supporters.
Solskey admitted her loyalty to Trump remained intact, noting, "She may have won the battle, but I don’t think she’s going to win the war." This comment reflects the challenge Harris faces to convert praise from debate performances to actual votes come November.
With the election just around the corner, the pressure mounts on both Harris and Trump to rally undecided voters. Both candidates will need to clarify their policies and emotional appeals to win over this elusive demographic. Harris’s debate prowess could potentially sway hesitant voters, but the opportunity to persuade is shrinking as Election Day approaches.
Clearly, the stakes are high as America watches closely to see who will secure the undecided vote and eventually drive the next chapter of its leadership.
