In a recent episode of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, John and Jeremy Zogby delved into the aftermath of a significant presidential debate. John Zogby began by highlighting Kamala Harris’ strong presence, noting that while she came across as composed and confident, she sidestepped critical questions, particularly regarding the economy and fracking. Her inability to directly address whether voters were better off than three years ago, combined with her shift on fracking—an important issue in Pennsylvania—Justify some room for improvement, despite her overall poised demeanor.
John praised Harris’ performance, particularly her prosecutorial style, which allowed her to land several sharp critiques of Trump. However, he emphasized that there were no knockout moments. Trump, on the other hand, came off as combative, often scowling throughout the debate. While he had a few effective lines, such as questioning Harris’ failure to enact promised changes during her tenure, some of his more outlandish claims were fact-checked on the spot.
Jeremy Zogby added a broader perspective, framing the candidates as representatives of two polarizing versions of America. He noted how each candidate epitomized the demographic divides that currently characterize the country. Both Zogbys agreed that the debate didn’t significantly shift the campaign, although Harris may have gained a slight edge.
Ultimately, they concluded that the campaign remains competitive, with neither candidate securing a decisive victory. They expect the race to tighten, reflecting the deep political and cultural divisions within the electorate.
John Zogby, along with his son Jeremy Zogby, remains a prominent figure in the field through their political polling company and qualitative research company, John Zogby Strategies. Jeremy’s recent work, which includes polling at Robert F. Kennedy’s campaign events and investigating how Americans perceive heroism during the pandemic, has attracted considerable media attention, including coverage in The New Yorker.