UVUSA Hosts Historic Debate Watch Party as Harris and Trump Clash on Key Issues
Photo by: Mckay Jones
Harris and Trump participated in their first debate for the 2024 Election, live from Philadelphia, USA. UVU students, including many first and second-time voters, learned how each candidate will address US and Global issues.
On Sept. 10, 2024, the Utah Valley University Student Association (UVUSA) hosted a watch party for the Presidential Debate, live from Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center. According to NPR, this was not only the first debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump but was the first time they were in the same room. Topics and policies mentioned during the debate include the economy, immigration, abortion, fracking, climate change, healthcare (including the continuation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010), and international relations, especially tariffs and ongoing conflicts, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the War in Gaza.
However, both Trump and Harris got off topic several times throughout the debate, attacking each other’s rallies, international policies, and economic plans. As of Sept. 12th, no further Presidential debates have been planned. Despite the spirited discussion, much of each candidate’s vision can be found in their closing statements. In Harris’ closing statement, she stated, “I intend to create an opportunity economy, investing in small businesses, in new families, in what we can do around protecting seniors, what we can do that is about giving hard-working folks a break in bringing down the cost of living.” Several times throughout the debate, she also emphasized her plan to bring back the “protections” of Roe v. Wade. Trump’s closing statement questioned Harris’ intentions, saying, “She just started by saying she’s going to do this, she’s going to do that, she’s going to do all these wonderful things. Why hasn’t she done it? She’s been there for three and a half years.”
Student Responses
Surveying the UVU students in the audience prior to the debate, the most common topics that students expressed investment in included the economy, the climate, and the Israeli-Gaza war. Despite both candidates claiming their opponent had no plans for America’s inflated cost of living, Kamala repeatedly mentioned her plan to implement extended tax deductions for small businesses and tax cuts for young families. Trump’s plan involves expanded tariffs of U.S. imports.
As for the climate, Kamala stated that the Biden-Harris presidency invested $1 trillion in the clean energy economy and opened 800,000 new manufacturing jobs. Trump’s ensuing statement claimed that Biden-Harris lost 10,000 manufacturing jobs in the last month, eventually claiming that “they’re [Biden-Harris] selling our country down the tubes.”
Both Harris and Trump did not give many specifics in how they would help end the Israeli-Gaza conflict. Trump said that, as president, “I will get that settled and fast.” Harris called for a two-state solution, but also did not provide any concrete plans.
Many people express exhaustion or disengagement with election years, riddled with attacks, stalemates, and divisiveness. However, choosing to vote, even when it feels like the votes do not matter, keeps democracy alive.
Utah Voting Deadlines
Utah’s online and by-mail voting registration deadlines are on Oct. 25, 2024. Utah’s in-person voting registration deadline is on election day: Nov. 5, 2024.
McKay is a sophomore at UVU currently studying Bioinformatics and Music. In his free time he enjoys hiking, camping, baking, and playing cello and piano.