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11 September 2024
Harris goes on the offensive in live TV debate with Trump
Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump laid out their competing visions for the future of the United States in a fiery televised debate in Philadelphia.
Harris pitched herself as an aspirational leader and agent of change, asking voters to turn the page on the “hate and division” of the Trump era and the “same old tired playbook.” Trump painted a picture of a nation in decline, railing about inflation, illegal immigration and accusing the Democrats of “destroying the country.”
With the air of a courtroom prosecutor, Harris drilled Trump on his role in January 6, his criminal convictions, “extremist” language, and his standing worldwide – successfully baiting him with a barb about dwindling crowd sizes at his rallies. She was strongest on the issue of abortion, saying: “The government and Donald Trump certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with their body.”
Describing Harris as a “Marxist,” Trump scored some points on the economy, describing how inflation has driven up the cost of “cereal, bacon, eggs.” He repeatedly turned to the issue of illegal immigration, blaming Harris for the surge in border crossings and “migrant crime.”
The debate was more substantive policy-wise than Trump’s previous debate with President Joe Biden, with Harris presenting policies geared to the middle class, including a tax credit for small businesses, yet both candidates dodged tough questions to pivot to their talking points. Polling in the coming week will determine if Harris scored any bump from her performance, with the latest data showing the two candidates tied nationally.
NEWS WRAP
North Korea vows to bolster nuclear arsenal
Pyongyang threatens United States | North Korea is “exponentially” increasing its nuclear arsenal, said North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un in official state media. He accused the United States of provocation by expanding military alliances in the region. Experts predict Pyongyang could execute weapons tests before the US election. READ MORE HERE
Trump ‘hush money’ sentencing delayed | A judge postponed the sentencing of Donald Trump until after the election, following his conviction in May of falsifying his business records to pay off an adult film star who alleged an affair. Judge Juan M. Merchan said he made the decision to postpone it to 26 November to avoid perceptions that the court intended to influence the election. READ MORE HERE
Russia’s growing election interference | Moscow is using US social media influencers to spread division and Russian propaganda ahead of the US election, said US intelligence officials. Russia’s efforts “are more sophisticated than in prior election cycles,” said a senior official from the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence. READ MORE HERE
Hunter Biden faces prison time | The son of President Joe Biden faces up to 17 years in jail, after pleading guilty to tax evasion and other federal tax charges in a Los Angeles court. Hunter Biden said he entered the plea to shield his family from the pain of another trial: “For all I have put them through over the years, I can spare them this.” READ MORE HERE
Taylor Swift endorses Harris | Pop icon Taylor Swift threw her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, giving her a ringing endorsement on her Instagram account following Harris’ televised debate with Donald Trump. Swift boasts a following of 283 million fans or ‘Swifties’ on Instagram. READ MORE HERE
"There [have] been no credible reports of ... pets being harmed"
ABC News fact checking Trump's claim about immigrants eating dogs
| 11 September 2024
EVENT
The US Supreme Court has handed down a range of controversial decisions in recent months – including important decisions on presidential immunity and (non-deference) to administrative agencies. It has also narrowly avoided deciding questions about access to pharmaceutical abortions, and the regulation of social media.
On 16 September, the United States Studies Centre will co-host a seminar with the University of New South Wales' Gilbert +Tobin Centre of Public Law discussing the court's term. The event will feature Professor Amanda L. Tyler, the Shannon Cecil Turner Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkely School of Law in conversation with Centre Director Professor Rosalind Dixon.
WHEN
16 September 2024. 1.00pm – 2.00pm AEST
WHERE
Level 2 Boardroom, Law & Justice Building, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Kensington NSW 2052
COST
Free but registration is essential
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Did you USSC?
- COMMENTARY | Harris should get the polling bump from this debate USSC CEO Dr Michael Green unpacks the Trump-Harris debate. READ HERE
- COMMENTARY | Kamala sliced Trump like sashimi, when he wasn’t doing it himself
USSC Senior Non-Resident Fellow Bruce Wolpe on the debate and path forward for the Harris and Trump campaigns. READ HERE
- COMMENTARY | GWEO rockets up the US alliance agenda, but Australia isn’t close to self-sufficiency
USSC Senior Research Associate Alice Nason and Research Fellow Tom Corben on the limits to Australia's sovereignty on missile production. READ HERE
BY THE NUMBERS
US partisan gridlock concerns Australians
The USSC's newly released Allies and partners poll 2024 found that Australians remain deeply concerned about partisan tension in the United States. Nearly three-quarters of Australian respondents (73%) say they are worried about the lack of compromise between Democrats and Republicans, while 11% are "not concerned at all," and a slightly larger group (16%) remain uncertain.
Productive bipartisan dialogue, whether through a presidential debate or at the congressional level, can help alleviate these concerns. However, the combative tone of today’s presidential debate — with Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Trump sparring over every issue — may offer little reassurance to allies about the current US political climate.
The full polling report, which examined Australian, Japanese and American attitudes on the role of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region and the prospect of a second Trump term, can be found here.
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University of Sydney NSW 2006
