By Harshitha Kothapalli – Editor-in-Chief 

On September 10, Candidates Donald J. Trump and Kamala Harris took to the stage for their first Presidential Debate against one another. Many have argued that Harris won. Others have argued that Trump was the victor. Let’s dive in a little deeper. 

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is a nonprofit established for the benefit of all voters. According to the CPD, presidential debates were introduced “to ensure that the voting public has the opportunity to see the leading candidates debate during the general election campaign”. It is supposed to allow voters to be informed of critical policies and vital issues. 

However, in the 90-minute debate, 30 minutes and 16 seconds were spent attacking the opponent rather than answering the questions. Moderators David Muir and Lindsey Davis introduced questions about abortion, the economy, foreign policy, tax reform, global warfare and various other important topics. 

Despite these crucial issues, the debate fell short in providing voters with clear insights into the candidates’ policies and visions for the confused country. Instead of using the powerful platform to address the concerns of the people, both candidates veered off-topic, engaging in personal attacks and deflecting important questions. 

In a time where voters crave real substance, this debate left a lot up in the air. The constant interruptions, accusations, and off-script commentary overshadowed any meaningful discussion of policy. While every now and then plans were mentioned, neither candidate made significant headway in clarifying their positions, nor did they articulate clear plans for the future.

As a result, it’s difficult to declare a real “winner.” When the focus is more on undermining the opponent than offering solutions, the real losers are the voters, who were left without the information needed to make an informed decision.