As we sift through the aftershocks of Tuesday night’s presidential debate, one question stands out: Who "won"? While many will sing Vice President Kamala Harris’s praises and point fingers at alleged moderator bias against former President Donald Trump, the real question is—who gained more votes after the event?
That’s where we need to draw the line between effective messaging and a solid language strategy. Let’s face it: if good messaging doesn’t translate to results, it’s meaningless.
Unfortunately for both candidates, neither seemed to make much of an impact on undecided voters.
FOCUS GROUP REACTS TO DONALD TRUMP'S CLAIM THAT UKRAINE WAR IS 'DYING TO BE SETTLED'
Harris walked onto that debate stage with a mission to articulate a clear vision for how the next four years would be better than the previous ones under Biden.
On the flip side, Trump had a big job: reassure voters about his stability. He needed to showcase the "fighter" side of him, but instead, we mostly saw the "unhinged" version.
IN THE TRUMP-HARRIS FACEOFF THERE WAS A CLEAR WINNER BUT DON'T BELIEVE THIS ELECTION IS OVER
Key Questions to Consider:
- "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"
- "How is Kamala Harris different from Joe Biden?"
Sadly, he didn’t establish himself as the obvious answer to those questions, choosing to react rather than lay out a solid plan.
Let’s not forget: a powerful message that doesn’t prompt action is pretty futile.
However, after polling some undecided voters, it became clear that her performance didn’t sway anyone’s minds.
Here’s the takeaway: we need to differentiate between good messaging and an effective language strategy.
So, while it’s clear that Harris may have "won" in terms of performance, the bigger question is—will this actually lead to votes? Many are doubtful about any significant polling shifts.
What both candidates needed to deliver is a robust language strategy that resonates with undecided voters. Success in this election cycle isn’t just about delivering effective messaging; it’s about providing clear answers that match the real hopes and concerns of the electorate.
As we get closer to Election Day, Harris and Trump both need to focus on the ultimate goal: winning the hearts and minds of voters—not just grabbing their attention. Because in the end, it’s the votes that really count.