By Benjamin Heffner | Observer Contributor
Last month’s debate on September 10 between former President Donald Trump, a Republican, and Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, marked the first—and potentially the only—chance for voters to see both candidates on stage discussing key issues facing the nation, including immigration, taxes, the economy, abortion, and foreign policy.
Students Matthew Infantino, Sarah Vargas, and Oren Cohen gave their thoughts on the debate.
Matthew Infantino joined MWCC in the fall of 2024 and is studying Environmental Science. He is 44 years old and offered up his insight to the presidential debate by answering the questions below.
What is/are your biggest issue(s)?
Healthcare
Who do you feel won the debate and why?
Undecided. “Both candidates came to the table with important agendas and outlined what they intended to accomplish. But something that’s always lacking in politics, especially presidential debates, is explaining “how” those agendas are going to be accomplished.”
Do you feel the debate changed your opinion on who’d you vote for?
No.
How has the election affected you personally/your mental health?
“This election feels momentous. Irrespective of who wins, it’ll be intense and impactful in ways that we can’t necessarily predict.”
Sarah Vargas began at MWCC in the fall of 2023 and is currently in the dual enrollment program. She has a lot of feelings on various issues and was able to tell us about her feelings for the candidates of the presidential race.
What is/are your biggest issue(s)?
Abortion, border immigration/security, climate change, democracy, economic issues, education, foreign policy, healthcare rights, LGBTQ+
Who do you feel won the debate and why?
Kamala Harris. “I felt that Harris effectively counteracted Trump’s arguments with well-researched responses. At the same time, I also felt that Trump made numerous more false claims than Harris, making him unreliable and giving Harris higher favorability.”
Do you feel the debate changed your opinion on who’d you vote for?
No.
Has the election affected you personally/your mental health?
No.
Oren Cohen is 22 years old and in the Interdisciplinary Studies in Automotive Technology. He was able to give insight on his thoughts to some of the questions about the presidential debate and they are as follows.
What is/are your biggest issue(s)?
Abortion, border immigration/security, economic issues, education, healthcare rights, LGBTQ+
Who do you feel won the debate and why?
Kamala Harris. “Harris was able to seize the momentum early on. However, the moderators were understaffed and needed one more member to be able to effectively moderate and fact check. That doesn’t absolve them of their lack of fact-checking Harris, nor does it mean she was entirely truthful. Throughout the debate, Harris was animated and passionate and delivered her defining moments.”
Do you feel the debate changed your opinion on who’d you vote for and why?
No. “I’m currently undecided but may be starting to lean toward one candidate over the other.”
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