The highly anticipated Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump debate left a significant impression on viewers, with multiple polls and voter panels indicating that Harris came out on top. As the dust settled, various groups of voters and media outlets reflected on the debate, offering insights into how each candidate performed and how they may have swayed undecided voters ahead of the 2024 election.

During a Fox News Digital voter panel, a majority of participants felt that Kamala Harris delivered a stronger performance than Donald Trump. Out of the 17 voters who participated in the panel, 12 raised their hands in favor of Harris, while only five believed Trump won the debate.

Voters on the panel noted that Trump seemed unsure of how to effectively challenge Harris, with one participant stating, "He is still in his head basically trying to run against Joe Biden." Others felt Trump failed to bring fresh ideas to the table, making him appear repetitive. One voter remarked, "Trump was so bad, he’s just like an old suit from 1987 right now. He just repeats himself, says the same stuff, and she’s refreshing in that she’s different."

However, while Harris was declared the winner, some voters expressed disappointment in her overall performance. A few participants noted that she didn’t meet their expectations, with one stating, "She wasn’t very specific when asked certain things... She knows how to pull at your heartstrings but avoids the hot button questions."

A CNN flash poll conducted immediately after the debate echoed the sentiment of the Fox News panel, with 63% of voters indicating that Harris won, compared to just 37% for Trump. This marked a dramatic reversal from previous expectations, as pre-debate polls had shown an even 50-50 split on who might come out on top.

CNN's David Chalian noted, "This is a complete reversal from what we saw in June." Prior to the debate, Trump was favored by two-thirds of respondents in similar surveys. The post-debate numbers showed a clear shift in voter sentiment toward Harris, especially among independent voters, who saw a significant swing in her favor. Before the debate, independents rated Harris at -17; after the debate, she surged to +9.

Chalian added that Harris' favorability rating increased by six points after the debate, now sitting at 45%, while Trump’s favorability dropped two points to 39%.

The debate featured several key moments that likely influenced how voters viewed each candidate. Trump’s performance was marked by repetitive rhetoric and outlandish claims. One of the most striking moments was when Trump falsely claimed that immigrants were "eating the dogs" and "cats" of people living in Springfield, Ohio. This unfounded statement was immediately fact-checked and debunked, further damaging his credibility with undecided voters.

According to CNN's group of undecided voters, Trump's statement on abortion also led to a "negative" reaction. Trump claimed that Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, supported abortion "in the ninth month" and even went as far as to suggest that Democrats approve of "execution after birth." The falsehoods in his argument were promptly addressed by the debate moderators, but many viewers were left unsettled by his comments.

On the other hand, Harris's stance on abortion resonated with many voters, especially when she spoke out against Trump’s role in the overturning of Roe v. Wade. She emphasized the importance of women having control over their own bodies, stating, "If Donald Trump were to be elected, he will sign a national abortion ban... The government should not be telling a woman what to do with her body." This response was described as passionate and concrete by one undecided voter, who cited it as her favorite moment of the debate.

One of the most significant takeaways from the post-debate polling was Harris's growing favorability among independent voters. As David Chalian pointed out, this was a group that had been heavily leaning away from Harris prior to the debate. However, her composed and clear answers during the discussion seemed to have struck a chord with independents, helping her make significant inroads with this critical voting bloc.

A key factor in Harris’s favorability boost was her ability to maintain a positive and respectful tone, in contrast to Trump’s more chaotic performance. One voter from the CNN focus group summed it up by saying, "I strongly felt Kamala was more optimistic, more respectful... I just felt more strongly for her as opposed to her opponent."

While the debate may be the only one between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump before the 2024 election, it had a significant impact on voters. Harris was able to solidify her position with undecided voters and gain favor with independents, which could prove crucial as the election nears. Both the Fox News voter panel and CNN’s flash poll indicated that the vice president outperformed her opponent, showing a clear shift in voter sentiment.

As voters continue to digest the debate, Harris’s optimism and policy-driven approach may help her maintain the momentum gained from this performance, especially as she moves forward in the final stretch of the campaign.