Factbox reactions to the debate appearances of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump

By Alexandra Ulmer and Jarrett Renshaw

(Reuters) – Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump faced off on Tuesday in their first presidential debate of the 2024 presidential election. Here are the reactions from political strategists, politicians and donors:

MARC SHORT, FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF TO VP PENCE

“Trump missed the opportunity to focus on the Biden-Harris indictment on the economy and the border, and instead took their bait and delved into the issues of voter denial and immigrants eating our pets. Harris has passed the test of looking presidential, and Trump has failed to expose her historically radical positions. The impact will likely ripple through contested races for House seats as well.”

KAREN FINNEY, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST

“This will be remembered as one of the most impressive debates in modern politics. The Vice President is doing exactly what she needed to do: talking about her vision and policy ideas, illustrating the contrast between her and Trump, and steering clear of his failure. He rambles, makes things up, and spreads lies and nonsense faster than the fact-checkers can keep up.”

CHRIS BORICK, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND MONUMENTAL HISTORIST AT MUHLENBERG COLLEGE IN PENNSYLVANIA

“I suspect the debate will not result in major changes in the polls. Both have stuck pretty strictly to their game plans. Harris has provoked Trump with some success, but I don't think he has ever strayed far from the messages he wanted to convey.”

RON BONJEAN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST

“Although Harris managed to get under Trump's skin with her well-prepared attacks, it is still not clear whether she really convinced these voters through this exchange and whether they finally made up their minds. The question now is how much she actually made a difference. But Trump did himself no favors by agreeing to this debate.”

MATTHEW KLINK, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST

“We learned nothing new about Kamala Harris tonight. The two ABC anchors didn't press her to elaborate or explain why she changed her mind. But that's not her job. That's Donald Trump's job, and he just wasn't focused. So she outsmarted him. In the grand scheme of things, it won't make much difference. But let's put it this way: Kamala Harris rose to the occasion, she rose to the occasion, she looked and acted presidential.”

AMY KOCH, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST

“It's clear that Trump has prepared for this debate. He has never given such a clear message as he has now – except that he wants to eat dogs. Because of the dogs, he missed an opportunity on immigration and he should try to bring it back into play at some point.”

ERICK ERICKSON, CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR

“Trump lost the debate and complaining about the moderators doesn't change that. He didn't lose because of their behavior. He lost because of his own performance while his lips were moving, not because of theirs.”

DAN EBERHART, REPUBLICAN DONOR

“I only saw one commander in chief on stage. Trump seemed focused, strong and in control.”

JEREMI SURI, PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND HISTORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

“Harris was almost perfect. She emphasized core issues – abortion, small business, American leadership in the world. She went on the offensive against Trump, forcing him on the defensive without being shrill. Trump was defensive and angry and ranting, and it showed.”

WHIT AYRES, REPUBLICAN POLLOGRAPHER

“I don't think Donald Trump will insist on another debate after tonight.”

(Additional reporting by Heather Timmons and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Ross Colvin, Daniel Wallis and Deepa Babington)