Dozens of Longhorns exclaimed in surprise, outrage and joy Tuesday night as the 2024 presidential debate raged on for nearly two hours. The students gathered in a Burdine Hall classroom where University Democrats held a watch party, projecting the candidates’ onto the lecture hall screen.
The debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump was the pair’s first in-person meeting, but neither held back when the first question was asked.
Harris highlighted her campaign’s central message of unity, attempting to paint an image of a president for all while also emphasizing the contrast between their platforms. Trump honed in on Harris’ role in the Biden administration, at times questioning her directly on why she hadn’t done more as vice president while avoiding questions himself.
Throughout the University Democrats event, viewers shouted at false statements, cheered at comebacks and waited in silence for a punch to land. But before it even started, some went in with expectations for what the debate’s effect could be.
“We had such a pivotal change when Biden dropped out so late in the timeframe,” Eliana Arriaga said. “(The debate) is a big turning point in the political scene right now to see … how it will affect America’s vote.”
Others went in with little knowledge around the candidates positions. Sebastian Rodriguez came to the event without clear expectations, but wanted to learn more about the both options on the ballot.
“I’m excited to get more into politics as a whole,” Rodriguez said. “I realized that now that I’m old enough to vote, that I should probably start taking it more seriously. I want to educate myself from multiple perspectives.”
During the debate, the candidates were pressed on their economic plans, abortion, the border, the weaponization of the Justice department, Jan. 6, foreign policy, race and more.
Throughout the debate, Trump blamed the Biden administration for a lack of action, ignoring requests for expansion on plans and policies and denying his connection to Project 2025 as well as his role in the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6. Harris attempted to mention issues and points that Trump feels strongly about, many of which he responded to, but also hammered Trump’s role in the insurrection and Supreme Court nominations, among much more.
At the first commercial break, Arriaga expressed frustration at the lack of specificity.
“I would just like Trump to answer some questions for once. It would be really nice to get a well-rounded view (of his policies) for people that may not know who they’re voting for yet,” Arriaga said. “He’s being really vague and the accusations he’s making are really arbitrary.”
Currently, tonight’s debate is the only scheduled matchup between the candidates. The vice presidential debate between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance is scheduled to take place Oct. 1 on CBS.
