WASHINGTON — Democrats on Capitol Hill are feeling bullish about Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy after Tuesday night’s presidential debate, even as many Republicans are now tripling down on their anti-media rhetoric while avoiding talking about former President Donald Trump’s head-spinning performance.
“This was a massive win for Kamala. It was actually much more of a win for Kamala than I was expecting,” Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) — who represents Philadelphia, which hosted the debate — texted Raw Story. “Most debates tend to have no clear-cut winner. This was an exception.”
Some Democrats couldn’t keep a straight digital face during the debate and took to social media to rip Trump.
“Trump Debate Team: stay calm, focused, stay on policy, stay serious, focused,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) tweeted out for millions to see on X. “Trump: they are eating dogs.”
Trump’s repeated resuscitation of conspiracy theories — from debunked claims that migrants are eating pets in Ohio to his claiming he won the 2020 election against now-President Joe Biden — made many cringe to the point of almost pitying the former president.
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“If this was a boxing match a referee never would have let it go on for Trump,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) texted Raw Story. “They should debate again. If Trump can get a doctor’s note to return to the ring.”
It’s not just Democrats who were left shaking their heads.
“Donald Trump is unfit for office. Kamala Harris cooked that senile old bastard,” former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) texted Raw Story as he was about to enter Ukraine late Tuesday evening. “A conspiratorial felon, Putin apologist and U.S. hater should never be POTUS.”
Trump’s staunchest congressional allies beg to differ.
“Trump was the change agent. She tried to convince the country everything is awesome,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) texted Raw Story.
Still, other Republicans are blaming the moderators for Trump’s poor performance.
“Harris and ABC worked well together!” Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) texted Raw Story.
That narrative was nothing new. Many Republicans were pushing that narrative on Capitol Hill in the lead-up to the debate.
“Well, the media's a powerful force. They gaslight. They cover up for the Democrats. That makes our job more difficult,” Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) told Raw Story Monday evening at the U.S. Capitol. “They couldn't cover up for Biden anymore. They covered up for him, allowed him to campaign from his basement to win the presidency, covered up on the open border.”
Other Republicans waxed philosophical in the wake of the cringe-worthy debate performance.
“You bring your side,” Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) texted Raw Story. “I’ll bring mine and we both leave thinking we won.”
While many Democrats were nervous going into Tuesday night, many are now breathing sighs of relief.
“I think Harris achieved her goals: turn the page, look to a better future, and exposing Trump’s massive weaknesses,” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) texted Raw Story. “Trump came across as angry and stuck on old talking points. A solid win for Harris 56 days out from the election.”
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