Presidential debate closing statements from Kamala Harris and Donald Trump

Eyewitness News ABC7NY

10 Sept 202404:31

Summary

TLDRIn the ABC News Presidential Debate, Vice President Harris emphasizes two contrasting visions for America, advocating for progress and unity while criticizing the opposition's regressive policies. She outlines plans for an opportunity economy, support for small businesses, and protecting seniors, while also pledging to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms. President Trump counters by questioning the effectiveness of the current administration, highlighting issues like the border, job creation, and energy policies. He asserts that the nation is in decline and criticizes the handling of military assets and immigration, dubbing the current leadership as the worst in U.S. history.

Takeaways

🔍 Vice President Harris emphasized two distinct visions for the country, one focused on the future and the other on the past, with an attempt to regress.
🛠️ Harris outlined plans to create an 'opportunity economy', invest in small businesses, support new families, and protect seniors.
🌐 She stressed the importance of sustaining America's standing in the world and ensuring respect, including for the military.
🚫 Harris pledged to protect fundamental rights and freedoms, specifically mentioning a woman's right to make decisions about her own body.
💼 Drawing from her experience as a prosecutor, D.A., Attorney General, Senator, and Vice President, Harris highlighted her commitment to the people.
🤔 President Trump questioned why, despite being in office for 3 1/2 years, certain promises and fixes have not been delivered.
🏭 Trump criticized the current administration's energy policies, arguing against a shift away from fossil fuels and suggesting it weakens the nation.
🌍 He expressed concern about the decline of America's global standing and the perception by world leaders, suggesting the country is being laughed at.
🔥 Trump warned of the potential for a third world war due to ongoing conflicts and the power of modern weaponry.
🛡️ He took credit for rebuilding the military and criticized the current administration for what he perceives as giving away military assets.

Q & A

What are the two different visions for the country mentioned by Vice President Harris?
-Vice President Harris mentioned two visions for the country: one focused on the future and the other on the past, with an attempt to take the country backward.
What does Vice President Harris emphasize as the commonality among Americans?
-Vice President Harris emphasizes that Americans have much more in common than what separates them.
What is Vice President Harris's plan for creating an opportunity economy?
-Vice President Harris plans to create an opportunity economy by investing in small businesses, new families, and protecting seniors, as well as giving hard-working folks a break in bringing down the cost of living.
How does Vice President Harris view the role of the United States in the world?
-Vice President Harris believes in sustaining America's standing in the world and ensuring the country has the respect it deserves, including respecting the military and maintaining the most lethal fighting force in the world.
What fundamental rights and freedoms does Vice President Harris commit to protect?
-Vice President Harris commits to protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right of a woman to make decisions about her own body without government interference.
What is Vice President Harris's approach to her role as a public servant?
-Vice President Harris has had one client throughout her career, the people, and her approach is to care about them and not put herself first.
What does President Trump question about Vice President Harris's ability to deliver on her promises?
-President Trump questions why Vice President Harris hasn't delivered on her promises during her 3 1/2 years in office, particularly regarding fixing the border and creating jobs.
What is President Trump's criticism of the current administration's energy policy?
-President Trump criticizes the current administration for not supporting fracking and fossil fuels, which he believes are necessary for the country's strength.
How does President Trump describe the current state of the United States internationally?
-President Trump describes the United States as a failing nation in serious decline, being laughed at all over the world and no longer a leader.
What does President Trump claim about the military under his administration compared to the current administration?
-President Trump claims he rebuilt the entire military, while accusing the current administration of giving a lot of it away to the Taliban and Afghanistan.
What is President Trump's concern about the influx of people into the country?
-President Trump expresses concern about millions of people, many of whom he claims are criminals, coming into the country and destroying it.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Vice Presidential Debate Opening

Vice President Harris begins with her closing statement, contrasting two visions for the country: one focused on the future and the other on the past. She emphasizes the importance of not going backward and highlights the need for unity and commonality among Americans. Harris outlines her plans for an opportunity economy, supporting small businesses, new families, and protecting seniors. She also discusses the importance of maintaining America's global standing and having a strong military. Harris asserts her commitment to protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, including a woman's right to make decisions about her body. She shares her background as a prosecutor and her focus on the well-being of the people, pledging to be a president for all Americans, focusing on long-term investments in the nation's future.

🗣️ President Trump's Response

President Trump challenges Vice President Harris's plans, questioning why she hasn't achieved them during her tenure. He criticizes her and her administration for not fixing the border and creating jobs. Trump argues against policies he believes are detrimental to the country's strength, such as not fracking and not using fossil fuels. He contrasts his own approach with what he perceives as failed policies, citing Germany's energy policy as an example. Trump expresses concern about the nation's decline, being laughed at globally, and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and with Russia and Ukraine. He claims to have rebuilt the military, which he accuses Harris of giving away to the Taliban and Afghanistan. Trump also criticizes the administration for allowing millions of people, including criminals, into the country, which he believes is destroying the nation. He concludes by labeling the current administration as the worst in the country's history.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Opportunity Economy

The term 'Opportunity Economy' refers to an economic system that aims to provide equal opportunities for all individuals to succeed, regardless of their social or economic background. In the context of the video, Vice President Harris mentions creating an 'Opportunity Economy' as part of her vision for the future, which includes investing in small businesses and new families, and protecting seniors. This concept is central to her theme of fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

💡Fundamental Rights and Freedoms

Fundamental rights and freedoms are the basic rights that individuals are entitled to, often protected by a country's constitution or laws. In the script, Vice President Harris emphasizes her commitment to protecting these rights, including the right of a woman to make decisions about her own body. This highlights her stance on issues such as reproductive rights and personal autonomy, which are central to the debate on individual liberties and government roles.

💡Prosecutor

A prosecutor is a legal representative of the state or government who brings a case against an individual or entity in a court of law. Vice President Harris mentions her career starting as a prosecutor, which signifies her background in law enforcement and her commitment to justice. This background is relevant to her presidential aspirations as it underscores her experience in upholding the law and protecting the people.

💡Lethal Fighting Force

A 'lethal fighting force' refers to a military unit that is highly trained and equipped to effectively engage in combat. In the transcript, Harris speaks of ensuring the United States has the most lethal fighting force in the world, which underscores her commitment to national defense and military strength. This is a key aspect of her vision for maintaining America's standing in the world.

💡Energy Policy

Energy policy refers to the decisions, actions, and strategies that governments adopt to manage energy resources and address issues such as energy supply, energy use, and energy conservation. President Trump criticizes the current administration's energy policy, arguing against a move away from fossil fuels and suggesting that it would weaken the country. This highlights a debate on the balance between environmental sustainability and economic strength.

💡Nation in Decline

The phrase 'nation in decline' is used to describe a country that is experiencing a decrease in its power, influence, or prosperity. President Trump uses this term to criticize the current state of the United States, suggesting that it is losing its global standing and being mocked by other nations. This reflects a theme of national strength and the perceived need for a strong leader to restore it.

💡Third World War

The term 'Third World War' refers to a hypothetical large-scale conflict involving many of the world's nations, potentially with catastrophic consequences. President Trump raises the specter of a third world war, emphasizing the risks of nuclear warfare and the importance of strong leadership to prevent such a conflict. This highlights concerns about global stability and the role of the United States in maintaining peace.

💡Military Rebuilding

Military rebuilding refers to the process of strengthening and modernizing a country's armed forces. President Trump claims to have rebuilt the entire military, suggesting a period of decline or neglect before his tenure. This is contrasted with Vice President Harris's actions in Afghanistan, which he criticizes as giving away military assets. The concept is tied to the broader theme of national security and the effectiveness of different administrations' strategies.

💡Immigration

Immigration policies and their impact are a central theme in the debate. President Trump criticizes the current administration's approach to immigration, arguing that it has allowed criminals to enter the country and is harming the nation. This reflects a broader debate on border control, national security, and the social and economic implications of immigration.

💡Client

In the legal context, a 'client' is the person or entity that a lawyer represents. Vice President Harris mentions that her only client has been 'the people,' emphasizing her commitment to public service and her role as a representative of the public interest. This term is used to contrast her approach with those who might prioritize personal or partisan interests.

Highlights

Vice President Harris emphasizes two different visions for the country, one focused on the future and the other on the past.

Harris asserts that the American people have more in common than what separates them and calls for a new way forward.

She outlines plans to create an opportunity economy, invest in small businesses, and support new families.

Harris discusses the importance of protecting seniors and giving hard-working people a break by reducing the cost of living.

She expresses commitment to sustaining America's standing in the world and respecting the military.

Harris vows to protect fundamental rights and freedoms, including a woman's right to make decisions about her own body.

She highlights her career path from prosecutor to Vice President, emphasizing her dedication to the people.

Harris aims to be a president for all Americans, focusing on investments in the American people for the next 10 to 20 years.

President Trump questions why Vice President Harris hasn't achieved the goals she mentioned during her tenure.

Trump criticizes the current administration's handling of the border and job creation.

He argues against policies that he believes will weaken the country, such as not fracking and not using fossil fuels.

Trump points out that Germany's attempt to move away from traditional energy sources failed and they had to revert back.

He claims that the country is in serious decline and is being laughed at worldwide.

Trump states that he rebuilt the military, while Harris is accused of giving parts of it away to the Taliban and Afghanistan.

He expresses concern about the influx of millions of people into the country, some of whom he claims are criminals.

Trump labels the current President and Vice President as the worst in the country's history.