Vice President Kamala Harris emerged victorious in Tuesday night’s presidential debate against former President Donald Trump, according to a CNN flash poll.
In a stunning reversal from the June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, 63% of viewers said Harris outperformed Trump, while only 37% favored the Republican nominee.
The poll, conducted by SSRS, found that Harris exceeded expectations, with 96% of her supporters believing she had the better night compared to just 69% of Trump backers. Viewers also left the debate with a more favorable impression of Harris, while Trump’s favorability remained largely unchanged.
“She was exquisitely well-prepared; she laid traps, and he chased every rabbit down every hole instead of talking about the things that he should have been talking about,” former Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey said in an ABC News interview.
Harris showcased her debating skills, keeping Trump on the defensive throughout the 90-minute exchange. She confidently approached the stage, shaking Trump’s hand and introducing herself before the two candidates clashed over issues like abortion, the economy, and immigration.
“Kamala Harris owned much of the night, keeping him on the back foot and avoiding sustained attention on her own vulnerabilities,” The New York Times reported.
While the debate did not fundamentally alter the race, with 82% of viewers saying it didn’t change their vote, it appears to be a significant win for Harris. The vice president has been pulling away from Trump in the polls since late July, and the debate seems to have widened her lead.
“This is the difference between someone who is well-prepared and someone who is unprepared,” Christie said of Harris’ performance.
