"RhetoricThe art of persuasion. is the art of ruling the minds of men," PlatoOne of the most important Ancient Greek philosophers.  once said. In the first - and possibly the only - head-to-head debate between presidential candidates Kamala HarrisUS Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's running mate. If elected, she will be the first female vice president of the USA. and Donald TrumpAn American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020. He is running to be president again in 2024. , both sought to capture the minds of their prospective voters. But who came out on top?

Harris' tagline was in constant use: "We are not going back." She painted a picture of an America looking to move forward. Meanwhile, Trump turned to a roster of untruths and misrepresentations, many the same or similar to his flagship statements from 2016.

He accused Haitian immigrants in Ohio of "eating the dogs", claimed that Harris "wants to do transgender operations on illegal aliens that are in prison", and alleged that the DemocratsMembers of the Democratic party, the left-leaning US political party. Joe Biden and Barack Obama are both Democrats. support aborting babies after they have already been born.

In the past, his colourful and divisive claims were capable of arousing strong emotion. But after so many years, some think they have lost some of their shine. He had to be reminded more than once that he was not running against President Joe BidenThe president of the USA, elected in 2020..

The debate also touched on reproductive rights, Russia's war on Ukraine and the war in GazaThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt. . Harris came into her own in passionate defences of women's right to autonomyThe right to make your own decisions. over their bodies. But on her more vulnerable issues such as inflationAn increase in the price of goods in an economy. , Gaza and the border, she was reticentReluctant. Not revealing one's thoughts readily. .

So who was the winner? One notable name was convinced by Harris' performance. Just minutes after the debate concluded, superstar Taylor Swift endorsed the Democrat, describing her as a "steady-handed, gifted leader".

The polls are on Harris' side too. Polling averages are showing a slim +2.8-point lead for Harris over Trump. But there is by no means agreement. A poll released yesterday by The New York Times and Siena College found Trump leading Harris 48 to 47%.¹

And there are more warning signs for Harris. Surveys show that nearly half of likely voters view her as too extreme, compared to 32% for Trump. One in five Harris voters say that they are voting for her due to dislike for other candidates, compared to 9% of Trump supporters.²

Harris argued for "building on the aspirations and hopes of the American people"; Trump invoked a vision of apocalypseA Christian name for the end of the world. Descended from a Greek word meaning uncover, it was used to describe the Biblical book of Revelation. and World War. But will hope win out?

Is it all over for Trump?

Yes: Last night, Harris proved what will make her a notable president. She is cool-headed and authoritative in the face of Trump's bluster. Meanwhile, Trump has failed to adapt.

No: The polls show that Trump and Harris are still neck and neck. Calling it for either of them at this point is sheer complacencyFeeling of satisfaction with your own work that stops you from trying harder. , especially after the failure of the polls in the 2016 election.

Or... Trump thrives when he can depict himself as an underdog. If the mainstream media and public figures come out in favour of Harris too early, he may be able to masterfully manipulate public feeling to claw it all back. It is best we do not speculate too soon.