Enjoy the world’s greatest nonpartisan debate analysis with surprise ending. Below is the original Twitter/X thread.
I’ll be live-tweeting America’s Great Unburdening below.
Do we need any of these commentators? The world would be better off with Reince Priebus as a goat herder.
Something will die during this debate. I believe it will be…specificity.
I love this ABC host facial expression. It’s a leftover news anchor expression from the 1990s.
Kamala starts out wobbly but decent answer on housing. Personal story rehearsals working like a charm.
Kamala attacking tariffs, which the Biden administration not only preserved but extended.
Trump still doesn’t understand how tariffs work or who pays them. He’s right that Biden Inc kept his tariffs.
Trump goes into the immigrant stuff. “Taking over towns.” Not sure this much negativity is the best way to go to sway independents.
Kamala’s BS about the Covid era economy is technically correct, but also exacerbated by Biden.
She’s doing better than I expected.
Trump is on shaky ground with Covid stuff because his side doesn’t love the vaccine, shutdowns and other bad calls (keeping Fauci!)
“60 Nobel laureates and 200 former intelligence agents say…” – DNC disinfo machine
Trump’s very weak on tariffs. Here’s the truth:
“Let’s be clear…” “He invited trade wars…(we invited real wars).” – Kamala
She’s quoting tweets. Good prep. Trump better have the same level of detail, but doubt it.
The “Marxist” label doesn’t work as well outside of the internet as Republicans think. Most Americans think Marx was a silent movie star.
Abortion should be moot at a national level now. That’s the angle Trump should take. Because Democrats do not have any viable national proposals that could bring it back nationally and defeat the supreme Court roe decision.
It’s smart to try to link Trump to abortion bans because she gets to claim the high ground as a woman. He is losing this one.
This Project 2025 linkage is Kamala’s “Marxism” – beyond the Internet, Americans think Project 2025 is a PowerPoint that’s due Monday.
Trump’s second try on abortion is better, but net net he won’t get the high ground with independents. He is right Democrats would never get the vote for a roe v Wade law, which Democrats had multiple opportunities to formalize under Obama and CHOSE not to.
She’s doing a job of limiting her circletalk.
“I have been a leader on IVF” haha, he mentioned it once at a rally.
Immigration! Hide your pets!
She’s back to Kamala the Cop. So many identities to manage. She must have a very good notes app.
Ok it’s official, whatever you believe she actually stands for, she is extremely well rehearsed. Her dagger on the insanity of his rallies was great. she really hit him where it hurts, his rallies, eg, ego.
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS THEY’RE EATING THE CATS THEY’RE EATING THE PETS. HOLY SHIT, HE SAID IT. THE MEMES ARE ALIVE!!!!
“Lots of people on television are saying…” Oh God. So stupid. Trump, wtf are you doing? Dumbass.
She’s pulling out all the anti-Trump Republicans at the perfect time, right after the eaten pets.
He’s right about firing people… But he also HIRED THEM!
How would you deport them answer should be, “exactly like Obama did”, but he won’t.
This is where the Democrats lawfare pays off. Painting him as a criminal was the game all along. Will be interesting to see how well it works. I suspect better than many think.
He’s right about the cases weaponization. https://x.com/ideafaktory/status/1710024539243975093
He says so much crazy stuff that there’s infinite ammo. He’s not really using enough ammo of crazy statements she has out there.
Good questions on Kamala’s flip-flops. She stands for nothing.
Trump has been so thoroughly painted as a villain by corporate media that his denials make him sound guiltier, even when he’s correct (about 50% of the time).
Here comes ‘fine people on both sides’… Can he overcome his railroading? It’ll be hard because he says and does so much crazy chaotic stuff that the lies become believable.
He’s right about “bloodbath” but see the above tweet.
My dog is really fascinated by this debate.
Election fuckery is a real issue (no IDs, mail in votes, trying to legalize illegals), but I don’t know how Republicans plan to prove it or fix it if they haven’t thus far. not sure if independents care.
Because of the narratives in the ether, she has many good cards to play. Republicans against Trump, lawsuits, Jan 6th, election denial, etc. She’s executing well.
As much trash as I’ve talked about Kamala…she looks… presidential.
Gaza – Israel. Kamala explainer time. So far, pretty good answer. Except she’s in power NOW and hasn’t done any of this.
She’s really learned to walk the line on Gaza Israel.
True she didn’t meet with Netanyahu for optics reasons.
He’s probably right he’s better for peace. He is not loved or respected, but feared. Which many will accept. Biden’s weakness goaded/invited these wars. I think he’s wrong that she hates Israel. Her beliefs are fluid like our genders.
I’ve underestimated her. She is such a pro at playing this part. When she has to, she’ll study.
It really is striking how much of the oxygen in this debate is burned up talking about Trump and all of his foibles instead of what the vision for helping Americans is. It really is exhausting. And much is self inflicted. The thing that let him win is also his Achilles heel.
“I’ll solve it in 24 hours.” His plan really is just an exit for us and Ukraine will take it on the chin. But that’s likely inevitable no matter when it ends or who’s in power. He’s right about the numbers. This war was so avoidable.
“We have a president that doesn’t know he’s alive.” Trump’s best line of the night.
What anti-laughing gas did they give Kamala? Why isn’t she on this 24/7? Is it deadly?
“Ukraine stands as an independent and free country.” – Kamala
“Quiet please” How isn’t he burying her on Ukraine?? They started two wars on their watch!
She met with Zelensky 5 times?? Was there a McDonald’s ribbon cutting in Odessa?
She’s doing the righteous indignation thing great, even though she has zero principles and flip flopped on every position. She really is an impressive construct. A perfect political vessel. I take everything back. Now I see how she got where she got.
She is very calm, meticulous, righteous, and well rehearsed. Honestly, I’m blown away. She’d win, solely based on this debate.
” I told Abdul… Figure it out, Abdul… We’re leaving, Abdul.” Trump’s new sitcom, “Figure it out, Abdul.”
He really put his foot in his mouth with his black versus Indian comment. There’s no way he can win this. But it really is rich hearing her talking about dividing people by race when all of her fundraisers were…
That was a platitude jumble on race by Kamala. She was right about the Obama birther stuff, but at this point, we’re back at Trump sucking up all the oxygen with Trumpiness. It’s really exhausting.
“She is Biden.” Is a good angle of attack, but not backed by any substance. He’s always surface level and negative. It’s all so petty. Somebody, get me RFK and his bear!!
After “let’s turn the Page”, Bob Seger should have come out.
9 years later, Trump’s “terrific” plan is coming! Trust me. It’s coming all over us. Bottom line if you’re waiting for Trump to give you healthcare, you will die.
Kamala supports…status quo. Only Pfizer and Aetna vote on this, not us.
“access to healthcare” – Kamala. you can “access” it but you can’t afford it. Republicans aren’t giving us any health care or childcare. might take it away. We are on our own.
Climate… “we have invested in…” At existentially dangerous deficits. Jury is still out on the IRA. You can juice supply, but demand has to be there. See: EVs
Closing statements… Kamala… It’s all Democrat boilerplate and platitudes so far. Smart to play it safe. Might be enough to win. Personal story time – as a prosecutor… It’s all fine and competently executed. Overall B+
Trump closing statement…. Why hasn’t she done it? Is a good angle. “We’re a failing nation” is a bad angle. Other countries are watching. This is scorched Earth to only benefit Trump and I fucking DETEST it.
Honestly, after this, I might for for Kamala.