My Unofficial Presidential Vote

I’ll be turning 18 in four months, just missing this year’s Presidential election. However, I’m excited to vote in 2028. Everyone knows how much I love politics, including my teacher, Mr. Schreiber, who often talks to me about current events.

After the September 10 debate, many Americans said they disliked both candidates, but the debate did change some voters’ opinions. Mat Sokol, a voter from New York, told BBC News, “I’ve never seen much about [Harris]. I was pleasantly surprised by what she had to say and even some of what ex-President Trump said, though I get a very shifty vibe from him. I don’t trust Trump. I don’t think he wants to run the country; I think he wants to own it.”

Some voters felt that both candidates seemed lost and unfocused. Still, others, like Kimberly Clark from Michigan, told BBC News she would choose Harris if she had to pick between the two. “I’m not impressed with Trump, and I won’t be voting for him,” she said.

Trump’s debate performance, particularly his comments about crowd sizes and tangential issues, appears to have turned away some voters, especially in crucial battleground states. Meanwhile, Vice President Harris dodged key questions, including why Biden kept Trump’s tariffs on China. While Harris criticized Trump’s trade policies, her comments ironically validated some of his decisions, showing the complexity of the issue.

Trump’s remarks about immigration stirred controversy. He claimed immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating pets, a statement debunked by the city’s manager, who said there were no credible reports of such incidents. Despite this, Trump doubled down, saying, “Well, I’ve seen it on TV.”

This debate reflects the chaotic state of American politics. Many candidates seem more focused on spreading misinformation than addressing real issues. With both candidates evading questions and making questionable statements, it’s clear that voters must think carefully about who they choose to lead the country. American politics has grown increasingly divided, and the stakes in this election feel higher than ever.

This was Kamala Harris’s first Presidential debate and Donald Trump’s seventh.