If performance matters in a presidential debate, so too turnout and optics Billed as the "high-stake showdown", the ABC News-moderated presidential debate in Philadelphia turned out to be less of a clash than attempts to appeal to the two opp…
If performance matters in a presidential debate, so too turnout and optics
Billed as the "high-stake showdown", the ABC News-moderated presidential debate in Philadelphia turned out to be less of a clash than attempts to appeal to the two opponents' respective base. After the debaters were introduced by David Muir, one of the two moderators (the other was Linsey Davis), both presidential nominees took to the stage in a fashion that was surprisingly not marked with a sense of urgency. But it was VP Kamala Harris who offered more positive optics, even suggesting that she already won before the debate ended: She walked purposefully and confidently to Donald Trump's half of the stage and took his hand and audibly introduced herself. The act looked presidential. But Mr Trump had, instead, headed straight to the rear of the rostrum, clearly bearing no intention to dispense with even a hint of the nicety of political professionalism.
Ms Harris's gesture spoke not only of how she carried herself in what could be the most difficult challenge of her political career, but also showed how she might conduct herself on the world stage, where the geopolitical enemies of the US or the former president's supporters could be present, and ready to pounce. Ms Harris was willing to put aside Mr Trump's nastiness toward her, his schoolyard name-calling, his racial taunts, and be her party's presidential hopeful in a manner that was consistent with the positive, geared-to-the-future image she has been projecting. The vice-president was meeting the former president face-to-face for the first time (hard to believe), and it was absolutely graceful—even nice—of her to take his hand. A handshake, as we know, is not just a greeting, it is also acknowledgement of the sole person you are not aquainted with in the room. But perhaps, more importantly, a handshake is also a gesture of sportsmanship. And it is possible that Ms Harris was suggesting that she would be a good sport.
The vice-president was meeting the former president face-to-face for the first time, and it was absolutely graceful—even nice—of her to take his hand
Ms Harris wore a relaxed, three-button navy suit. The silhouette is no different from what she typically picks for her public appearances, such as the much-lauded Chloé that she chose for the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month. Under the suit jacket, she had on a white lavallière blouse, with the end of the pussy bow not tied as one (which would, otherwise, have a whiff of a Saint Laurent top). The blouse was possibly picked to soften her image (although that was not necessary since she was not wearing a power suit, such as what Ms Davis had on) to counter Mr Trump's predictable, personal uniform, GOP-inspiration of a turnout. Her challenger of the night shrouded himself in his usual ill-fitted suit in that strange, a-tad-too-bright blue that was more reluctant father of the bride than ex-president and now, presidential hopeful. It did not help that the dour sum effect was made worse with the cheerless limp red tie with the four-in-hand knot that was too skinny for his well-girthed neck to appear powerful. This could possibly explain why he was so quick to go straight behind the rostrum, to hide. Did he shudder the minute he saw Kamala Harris emerge, seeing her for the first time in person, and looking that good?
Ms Harris did not only make sure she appeared captivating, smart, professional, comfortable, and ready to debate, she was sure to augment the likeability factor with a comely face. Apart from wearing a good suit, she wore a good smile, framed by hair blow-dried to fall in relaxed waves to her shoulders. She donned her smile well, avoiding the laugh that had allowed Mr Trump to belittle her. By contrast, there was a perpetual scowl on her opponent's face and the downward arch of his lips that was the opposite of the Joker's. While her appearance was appealing, it is hard to say that Ms Harris's responses, even if they were articulate, were strategies to ameliorate the doubts some of the electorate have of her (such as her flip-flopping on some policies and issues). And while she did bait him, she missed several opportunities to hit back (such as Mr Trunp's admiring of Viktor Orbán purportedly admiring him!). Did Kamala Harris win? To use a Donald Trump phrase, only by a whisper.
Screen shots: abcnewslive/YouTube. Photomontage: Just So
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