Easily swayed voters rate the debate in favor of Harris, expressing a desire for more detailed responses.
"Harris emerged victorious," stated London, a lawyer residing in conservative Berks County. "Despite having numerous policy disagreements with her, I'm now supporting her vote."
London adopted Republican beliefs at 18, fond of Reagan's conservative ideals. Initially, she cast her primary vote for former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and later changed her registration to independent due to her perception of Trump as an unchecked populist.
Until recently, she intended to uphold her conservative values and write-in an alternative Republican candidate for the upcoming election. However, her perspective shifted significantly following the debate in Philadelphia. The former president's refusal to assert the importance of the U.S. standing with Ukraine left an impact. Trump branded his goal as ending the war and even hinted at the prospect of negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine.
"Conservatives do not negotiate with communist dictators invading other countries," London expressed in a post-debate message. "It will require Trump's defeat for the Republican Party to reform, and I will rejoin the party once that occurs."
London is one of 70 voters participating in our All Over The Map project, an initiative aimed at tracking the 2024 campaign through the lens of voters in battleground states or significant voting blocs.
London's decision to support Vice President Kamala Harris marked the most significant shift in reaction among this group during and immediately following the debate. Despite several voters having already committed to a candidate, no one was swayed to alter their choice.
"She was convincing," said Chris Mudd, a devoted Trump supporter from Cedar Falls, Iowa. He noted, though, "Trump could still deliver some positive improvements. Harris represents style over substance."
Lisa Reissman, a Harris backer from Wisconsin, shared a contrasting opinion.
"Harris was exceptional," Reissman remarked. "Trump projected as unstable and desperate."
Enthusiasm can be vital in tight races, and the Democrats' conversation has noticeably changed since Harris was named the nominee. Even those who had questions about Biden but would have voted for him nevertheless display increased enthusiasm in discussing their approval of Harris, including in their post-debate assessments.
"She displayed herself as a president tonight," revealed Davette Baker, an African American Democratic activist from Milwaukee.
Larry Malinconico, a geology professor from Northampton County, Pennsylvania, belongs to this group.
"While I have always aspired to prevent Trump from securing office, I now hold a greater confidence in Vice President Harris as a strong presidential candidate."
Voters sought more specific policy details from Harris
A number of undecided or leaning voters who are open to switching their allegiance between Harris and Trump commended her debate performance. Nevertheless, some voiced concerns about her lack of detail in outlining her policy proposals.
"Kamala Harris promises to uplift the middle class, but how?" stated Linda Rooney, a primary voter for Haley living in Philadelphia subsidies. She also expressed uneasiness about Harris's shifting stances on fracking and other issues.
"This is why I can't trust her," Rooney admitted, recounting her 2016 vote for Trump but 2020 vote for Biden-Harris. "She's not moderate."
Rooney expressed her reluctance to vote for Trump, but disapproval of Biden-Harris economic policies as well.
"He's so letdown," she lamented, regarding Trump's response to the January 6, 2021 events. "Kamala has valid points in addressing him on this."
Twice Rooney emailed to express her belief that Trump was "off the rails" during debates on immigration.
"I can't support her," Rooney concluded about Harris. "But I don't want to support Trump. ... I feel so isolated in the middle."
Rooney hails from Media, Delaware County. Similar sentiments are shared by Cynthia Sabatini, a "never Trump" voter and Reagan Republican who intends to write in a conservative candidate or vote third party unless Harris convinces her otherwise. The vice-president failed to do so during the debate.
"She is a skilled debater," Sabatini acknowledged. However, she added, "I believe she needs to address questions directly." Specific areas of concern included her failure to answer questions regarding Americans' improved conditions and border security.
"I remain undecided," Sabatini concluded post-debate.
Antonio Munoz, too, believed Harris could have achieved a more convincing victory with more precise answers.
Munoz is a veteran, former police officer, and restaurateur in Las Vegas. He entered the debate leaning Harris but not yet committed. He remains uncommitted after as well.
"Kamala was composed," Munoz observed about the vice-president. "Trump was his usual self - speaking about terminating babies after birth and immigrants indulging in cannibalism. I can't understand how one can defend these unfounded remarks."
But Munoz emphasized his requirement for more substance before Harris secures his vote in critical Nevada.
"Not enough detail on future plans," Munoz said, summing up Harris's debate performance.
Allen Naparalla, similarly, is seeking more clarification from Harris. Yet, he's now prepared to cast his vote, having stated in July that he thought Harris wasn't fit for the role when Biden stepped down.
"At this stage, I'm voting for some positivity in the world," mentioned Naparalla, a winery owner based in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. "We need something to smile about and anticipate. Enough pessimism."
Fans of Harris reveled in her ability to disturb and unnerve Trump.
"A lesson well learned," commented Marvin Boyer, a civil rights advocate in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, a significant swing county. "She remained composed, focused, and collected. He, on the other hand, appeared defensive, agitated, and out of control."
Even some Trump supporters acknowledged that Harris had managed to disconcert Trump.
"Kamala effectively dodged the questions and provoked Donald," stated Natalya Orlando, a Trump supporter from New Hampshire. "The anticipation leading up to the debate was thrilling, but the debate itself was just average. No substantial revelations."
Similarly, Priscilla Forsyth, an attorney from Sioux City, Iowa, stated, "Trump didn't perform at his best and sank too readily into the bait. However, she seemed artificially crafted, particularly when she tried to advocate for national unity. I will never believe she could or would represent my interests."
An authenticity issue was a recurring theme among Trump supporters.
"Kamala's constant posturing and deceitful displays while Trump spoke came across as childish, rehearsed, and off-putting," remarked Rachel Kulak, a Christian conservative residing in the Richmond, Virginia, suburbs.
"His responses weren't beneficial," Iowa entrepreneur Jaclyn Taylor said of Trump. "Kamala didn't appear genuine for most of the evening."
Billy Pierce, a Trump ally from South Carolina, pointed to Harris' stint in office. "I'm merely baffled that Kamala is promoting change when she's served for three and a half years."
Debbie Katsanos, a Trump supporter from New Hampshire, expressed, "The status quo must change. This once was a great country, but it isn't anymore."
Betsy Sarcone, who supported Haley in the Iowa caucuses but will vote for Trump in November, opined about Harris, "Her rehearsed and recited lines lacked any depth."
Many voters who still felt dissatisfied despite the party switch atop the Democratic ticket found no reasons to alter their disappointment.
"I deserve better than this," said Stanley Tremblay, a New Hampshire independent. "I'm just scared we've dug ourselves into a pit from which we can't escape."
Gina Cilento, a competitive pickleball player who owns a training studio in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, shared Tremblay's discomfort.
"It's draining," she texted during the debate. "It simply makes me feel so disheartened. Is this the best our country can offer?"
London, originally a Trump critic due to his perceived unchecked populism, recognized the significance of Harris's stance on Ukraine during the debate and admitted that Trump's defeat is necessary for the Republican Party to reform, shifting her support to Vice President Kamala Harris. [This sentence can be found in the original text with slight modifications.]
Having observed Harris's performance in the debate, some voters like Antonio Munoz and Allen Naparalla expressed admiration for her composure but urged for more policy details to secure their votes, as they desired a more substantive and specific approach from her. [This sentence is an inference based on the information provided in the original text.]
