Sept. 10, 2024 marked the first meeting and debate between presidential candidates Kamala Harris (Democrat) and Donald Trump (Republican). While the debate exposed the vastly different temperaments and characters of the two, it left the general public dissatisfied because of a lack of vital desired information.

Harris successfully provoked dramatic responses from Trump, which seemed to be her goal from the start. Strategic comments about the quality of Trump’s rallies and his reputation with world leaders clearly ruffled the former president’s feathers, which he displayed through a generally agitated disposition throughout the debate. The digs were not one-sided however, with Trump notably mocking Harris with a reiteration of her, “I’m speaking,” remark from her 2020 debate with former Vice President Mike Pence. The frequent use of personal attacks and passive aggressive attitudes from the candidates who could represent America sets a bad example for the people of our nation, and of our country as a whole. The president should be the highest symbol of maturity and grace, it is unfortunate that our representatives aren’t currently living up to that standard.

The most common criticism of the debate is that there was a lack of concrete policy outlined. Useless bickering emphasized certain moments such as Trump’s comment on “having a concept” for healthcare, as well as Harris’s lack of clarity for the future of Ukraine and Palestine. The presidential debate is the most wide-reaching event during the election season and with only 90 minutes, our candidates need to prioritize promoting their policy instead of personally attacking their opponent.