Division, outrage and one of the most important elections of this century. This extraordinary election, lining up with extreme world conflict, Trump’s criminal trials and the overturning of Roe v. Wade is nothing short of heartstopping. With the pre-debate polls tied hand in hand, both candidates were looking to beat their opponents to get higher ground and win the White House.

With only a few months until election day, I didn’t know what to expect going into this debate. In the polls candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are locked in a tie, even with some momentum in Harris’s favor.

The debate started. This was the first time they met each other. Harris went in for a handshake– Trump avoided it. In my mind I was screaming to myself, what are we in for?

In many ways, both candidates repeated the same points I believed they would. Harris trying to sell her middle-class background, describing the flaws of Trump’s policies, and turning attention to Trump’s criminal charges. Trump repeating offensive ideas about immigrants, distancing himself from Project 2025, and spewing buzzwords about abortion and transgender people.

These really were the same old candidates I expected. Like many Americans, I wanted candidates to focus on policy. To describe what and how their policies would help Americans of all backgrounds. This debate turned into a production of emotion– particularly anger.

Junior, Ash Goodman, watched the debate and shared many of the same emotions I felt sitting through this 90-minute dumpster fire on Trump’s behalf.

“It’s really disappointing that so many American believe that Trump is a good candidate,” Goodman said. “Kamala was really great, she’s a very great speaker in my opinion. I was very annoyed and disappointed by Trump’s bull******g, I hate his ignorance and his dishonesty. He was getting fact checked left and right.”

Goodman is right. Trump was fact checked over five times in the debate, while Harris was left alone. On several occasions, Trump spoke over the moderators, yelling at them over irrelevant stories that were not at all about policy. This absolutely hurt him with 63% of people saying Harris beat him in the debate.

Trump was explosive, erratic and looked to be unfit for president. His anger and disdain for Harris are reminiscent of the outrage of the American people over the state of the country.

Senior Max Chesla, who will be eligible to vote this upcoming November, was previously an undecided voter.

“I originally wasn’t gonna vote because I didn’t know a lot about either of the candidates,” Chesla said. “After hearing people talk about [the debate], I am more swayed to vote for the side that I want to win, I am leaning towards voting for Kamala Harris.”

For many young people, including myself, before Joe Biden dropped out, both candidates represented the worst parts of America.

During the presidential debate in June, Biden was completely senile and could barely get a proper sentence out. Trump represented regression in all areas of life. When Biden dropped out and was replaced by Harris, it was like a spark went off.

The Democratic Party’s grueling poll rates in all states shot up. Disgruntled Democrats began to rally around Harris as a new face in a hostile political climate.

“It made me happy to see someone that wasn’t so old be one of the nominees,” Goodman said.

It’s very clear, Harris is a symbol for the younger generation in the face of the tyranny I believe Trump will bring to the country if he is elected this November. Trump’s policies on abortion, world conflicts and misinformation surrounding the 2020 election is nothing short of dangerous.

This is not the full consensus, though. Junior, Finley Barron, believes that this debate won’t be as transformative as other people believe.

“I don’t think the debate will sway many voters,” Barron said. “If anything, it will lead to more division and arguments that’s for sure.”

Barron said he believes this because Trump and his supporters are “just as they always have been.” Loud and uninformed.

In wake of this debate, it is clear Harris as the replacement for Biden was absolutely key for the growth of the Democratic party. Her policies on reinstating abortion rights, ending the war in Gaza and uplifting the middle class is needed for progress.

“I don’t think Biden was the best example of the Democratic party,” Goodman said. “Kamala won the debate, she better reflects the idea of having personal choice.”

Trump has refused another debate against Harris, showing weakness against her.

The best situation for America is if we have someone who is young, intelligent and who genuinely deserves to rule the strongest country in the world. It’s no question.

Kamala Harris is the key forward.