UPDATED:Harris Should Drop Request For Another Debate

Riding high after a powerful debate performance, VP Kamala Harris has challenged former President Donald Trump to a second debate even though he's already ruled it out. "We owe it to the voters," she said. Now that she's positioned herself as the person willing to do a second faceoff, she should let the matter drop. 

I doubt that she can do any better in a second debate than she already has. I doubt Trump can do any worse. 

She raised $17 million in 24 hours after her tete-a-tete with Trump in Philly. It's unclear whether her debate performance has actually helped her campaign, but I am sure that a poor outing will hurt her.  According to a Morning Consult poll conducted after the debate, she now leads Trump by 5 points, with some of her new support coming from independents. We all know that polls can be questioned, especially when gauging Trump support. But if this is accurate, why jeopardize a close lead by giving Trump the attention that Demagogue Don always craves?

(Updated 11 am.)

UPDATED: Harris Appeals to Center in Presidential Debate

If you read this blog, odds are pretty high that you watched the Presidential debate last night between VP Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. I am sure that his supporters fervently believe he won, and must have loved his appeal to nativism, protectionism and isolationism, the three-headed monster. He appealed to our dark sides with fear and division. I am equally certain that Harris supporters like myself loved her appeal to the "better angels of our nature," as Abraham Lincoln might say. Hers was a message of hope and optimism.

The question is how the candidates fared with uncommitted and more moderate voters. I suspect they were turned off by Trump's chaotic display, in which he would answer questions about the economy by talking about immigration and vice versa. Harris was more centered, presenting an image of stability that contrasted sharply with Donald Dissonance. 

Overall, I'd say this debate helped Harris and hurt Trump. 

(I am writing this based on my own views and without the benefit of any talking heads).  

The Handshake: At the very onset of the debate, a poised and confident Harris walked up to Trump and offered her hand. He looked as though he wanted to run away.

"They're eating the dogs!": In his constant attempts to spread fear of the OTHER and sow seeds of division, Trump declared that Haitians in Ohio are eating people's dogs and cats: "TRUMP: In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what’s happening in our country. And it’s a shame. As far as the rallies are concerned, as far as the reason they go, is they like what I say. They want to bring our country back. They want to make America great again. Very simple phrase, make America great again. She’s destroying this country. And if she becomes president, this country doesn’t have a chance of success. Not only success we’ll end up being Venezuela on steroids. MODERATOR DAVID MUIR: I just want to clarify here. You bring up Springfield, Ohio. And ABC News did reach out to the city manager there. He told us there have been no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community."

Harris is Stupid? - On the campaign trail, Trump has repeatedly claimed Harris is stupid. But even conservative talking heads paint her as the victor. What does that say about Trump's intellectual acumen?

Updated 11:51 am

Fox News Greets GOP Presidential Contenders With "Rich Men North of Richmond"

Last night, Fox News hosted a debate among 8 contenders for the GOP Presidential nomination.  When it kicked things off with "Rich Men North of Richmond."  I was transported back to 1861. All that song needs is a rebel yell.  Was Fox suggesting we need a new Civil War? At least one of the candidates - Vivek Ramiswamy - thinks so.

He actually called for "revolution."  Although he has a lot of appeal among hard-line Rs, I thought he was arrogant, especially when he said he was the "only person on this stage who isn't bought and paid for." He called climate change a "hoax," and stated he believes we need to "drill, frack, burn coal, declare war on administrative state." 

In contrast to Ramiswamy, Vice President Mike Pence stated he is "unquestionably the best prepared" person to be President. "Now is not the time for on the job training," he said in a slur aimed at Ramiswamy. While Ramiswamy claimed that we should devote our military resources to the border (which incidentally is illegal) instead of Ukraine, Pence scoffed at the notion that the United States must do one or the other. He argued that we need to let the Ukrainians fight so we don't need to do so.  Nikki Haley told Ramiswamy, " You have no foreign policy experience and it shows." 

Pence's views on abortion hurt him. He "gave myself to Jesus Christ." and condemned the Nikki Haley notion of compromise on abortion as "the opposite of leadership."

Ron DeSantis continually evaded questions and demonstrated a complete lack of charisma. His one solid point was his claim that he refused to lock down during the Covid pandemic, unlike most states.  

Christie, a former federal prosecutor who has never shied from mixing it up, was clearly the best debater. After Ramiswamy kept interrupting others, Christie finally unloaded on him. "I’ve had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT standing up here,” he said. 

I'd give the win to Christie, but I'm a Democrat. What do you think?