After the 90-minute showdown last night in Philadelphia, one instant poll for CNN said 63 per cent of viewers scored a win for the vice-president, compared to 37 per cent for her Republican rival.
It was a mirror image of a snap survey after Mr Biden and Trump debated in late June, when the 81-year-old president’s stumbling performance left Democrats in despair and led to him bowing out in favour of Ms Harris. Instead, it is now Trump at 78 who faces questions about his advancing years.
For many observers, his performance last night resembled an angry old man going up against a younger and history-making candidate in the biracial Ms Harris, 59, who is bidding to be America’s first woman president.
He alleged without evidence that Haitian immigrants were eating the cats and dogs of residents in Springfield, Ohio, the home state of his running mate JD Vance, who himself has backtracked from the claim circulating on social media.
“They’re eating the pets of the people who live there,” Trump shouted during the ABC debate, as Ms Harris laughed disbelievingly. “She’s destroying this country… we’ll end up being Venezuela on steroids.”
Ms Harris said “talk about extreme”, attacking Trump over his many racist remarks including one against herself. She noted she has won the endorsements of 200 Republicans including most recently that of the hardline former vice-president Dick Cheney.
The biggest endorsement yet materialised just after the debate concluded. Taylor Swift signed off an Instagram post backing Ms Harris with the words “childless cat lady”, in a pointed reference to a much-criticised attack on Democrats by Mr Vance.
Ms Harris exploited her experience as a courtroom prosecutor to press her case against Trump as unfit for office, highlighting his criminal convictions and his opposition to federal protection for abortion rights.
Bu hikaye Evening Standard dergisinin September 11, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Evening Standard dergisinin September 11, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution
Money is worth less than time'
He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?
London's Roman Amphitheatre
Guildhall Yard, EC2V
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.
Do we have to die?
One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no
How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh
From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.
London's best festive restaurants
The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.
Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
