The Presidential Debate that occurred on Sept. 10, 2024 was filled with ups and downs and many controversial topics, and although it was hectic, the chaos of the debate was somewhat anticipated by a vast majority of the American people. Both candidates were asked seemingly simple points, yet neither of the candidates were able to provide concise answers to these questions. Some of the topics brought up in the debate could be an active factor in day-to-day life for the students of Carlsbad High School.
To begin, there was an intriguing point made by former president Trump highlighting the strange scenario in Springfield, in which the immigrants in that area were consuming the pets of the residents. The claim was later fact-checked during the debate and proven to be false.
“In Springfield, [the immigrants are] eating the dogs,” Trump said. “They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”
This peculiar subject seemed so strange to the people of America that it has been incorporated into social media as a meme, and now circulates on TikTok, Instagram and other online platforms. This is not good for the Republican party, as it paints Trump as inadequate for such a serious role in the state of the country. In addition to his previous claims, Trump made a shocking statement on the immigrants coming into America.
“[The immigrants] can’t even speak English,” Trump said. “They don’t even know what country they’re in.”
Throughout the course of the debate, it was clear that both presidents had opposite tactics on how they would win not only the debate, but the presidential election in general. Harris painted a picture of the state of the country in the future, and is against repealing policies that would retreat the country back in time.
“Let’s not go back,” Harris said. “Let’s chart a course for the future and not go backwards to the past.”
Trump is using the opposite tactics; he is taking advantage of the past to appeal to the Republican party and reflect the actions of other Republican policy-makers. His campaign revolves around how he ran the country from the years of 2016-2020; since that point, it has seemed that the economy has gone down and inflation has gone up. Trump is aware of this, and he is using the history of the country since 2016 to propel his campaign further.
“I created one of the greatest economies in the history of our country,” Trump said. “I’ll do it again and even better.”
Abortion was also a topic brought up in the debate, and although Trump claims to be the “most pro-life president in American history,” many people fail to realize the fact that he believes in three main outliers, as do the majority of Republicans.
“I believe in the exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother,” Trump said. “I believe strongly in it. Ronald Reagan did also. 85% of Republicans do.”
This topic is very relevant to the people of the younger generations, especially those who are concerned for the sake of their own bodies and therefore dislike Trump for his views on abortion; however, there are some topics to which he has some unexpected leeway. Trump has also said in other interviews that he is “very strong on women’s reproductive rights.” Yet, if Trump wins the election, will his statements reflect on the laws in place, or new laws he would install?
Kamala said during the debate that “if Donald Trump were to be re-elected, he will sign a national abortion ban.” It is important to understand how, on topics like abortion, there are many things to consider when personally deciding what to believe, and who to listen to. It is topics like these that are more complex than black-or-white, yes-or-no answers.
Anyone who is familiar with the science curriculums at Carlsbad High must be at least slightly familiar with the effects of climate change, and how it will affect the younger generations as fossil fuels continue to be used. The topic of climate change was mentioned in the presidential debate as well, and the two candidates discussed it.
“The former president had said that climate change is a hoax,” Harris said. “And what we know is that it is very real. You ask anyone who lives in a state who has experienced these extreme weather occurrences who now is either being denied home insurance or is being jacked up.”
Harris has addressed the issues with climate change with not only the environmental aspects of it, but also the effects it has on homes and people who live in high-risk areas that are more susceptible to the harms of climate changes. Harris is aware that “the young people of America care deeply about this issue,” addressing not only young people working jobs, but also young people learning about these topics in school; young people like the students of Carlsbad High.
Vice President Harris also went over all the things that the Democrats have done while President Biden has been in office, like imputing a trillion dollars in clean energy, while also providing manufacturing jobs to 800,000 people. Although Harris said this in confidence, America still continues to produce fossil fuels and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have continued to skyrocket. If this issue has really been addressed in a timely, effective manner, shouldn’t the results that are being shown in classrooms or in the weather app reflect that?
In Former President Trump’s response, he appears to go over every topic but the one at hand. He mentions Ukraine, auto plants in Mexico, a rumor about China paying Biden and the mayor of Moscow’s wife; yet he not once mentioned the environmental state of America, or his plan on how to proceed.
In total, the debate had numerous different points covered, but the effectiveness by which both candidates communicated these points was unproductive. The future state of this country relies on what these two candidates are bringing to the table, and in the debate, it seemed as if they were just attempting to bring the opposite party down. However, there were good points made during the process of the debate, and one can look back at that when deciding which presidential candidate to support. Of course, only a very small percentage of the student body at Carlsbad High School is faced with that decision, but for the future of politics, economics, sciences and the state of our country, it is important to educate oneself on the topics brought up in the debate.
