NEW YORK—New Yorkers attending a watch party on Wall Street at the Ulysses Bar and Restaurant had mixed emotions about the debate between Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican challenger former President Donald Trump.
Harris and Trump debated each other for the first time on Tuesday in Philadelphia with ABC News correspondents David Muir and Linsey Davis taking turns moderating.
“I think Trump is doing better than expected based on his rally performances the last couple weeks,” Manhattan resident Dan Willis told The Epoch Times.
“He’s a little bit repetitive in terms of the talking points that he is focusing on, and Kamala is showing herself to be a formidable candidate.”
Willis, 58, was among 200 people at the popular eatery who laughed, groaned, and applauded during the two hour televised show.
Both candidates presented differing views over a range of issues including the economy, energy policy, abortion, inflation, the Israel–Hamas conflict, and border security.
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Dan Willis attends the presidential debate watch party at the Ulysses Bar and Restaurant in New York City on Sept. 10, 2024. Juliette Fairley/The Epoch Times
“I don’t think either one of them is the right candidate for either party,” Manhattan resident Frank Jones, 60, told The Epoch Times.
“Kamala was very rehearsed, and so on a debate level, maybe she won, but the real issue is we’re on the verge of World War III. Most Americans are ignorant of it.”
At times, Trump joked while Harris smirked and they both effectively poked each other with barbed comments.
Manhattan resident Andrea Elizabeth, 40, felt that Harris won the debate.
“Trump is sharp, but when he’s at his rallies, he doesn’t act like this,” Elizabeth told The Epoch Times.
“His demeanor is much more mild tonight and is not as radical or ridiculous.”
Esatmewa Deswani and Andrea Elizabeth at the Ulysses Bar and Restaurant watch party in New York City on Sept. 10, 2024 Juliette Fairley/The Epoch Times
Esatmewa Deswani, 40, was appreciative that the candidates touched upon their views on abortion but felt Trump was patronizing.
“He’s not taking her for who she is or taking her word for word,” Deswani told The Epoch Times.
“She’s a different person from Joe Biden. She has her own opinions but Trump keeps saying that Kamala is going to continue Joe Biden’s policies.”
Tom Cahill did not share the same reactions of some Harris supporters.
Instead, the 37-year-old Manhattan resident was dismayed by Muir and Davis.
“I actually don’t believe anything that’s happening tonight because it is moderated by ABC News, and they are cutting off microphones, and nobody’s allowed to speak accordingly,” Cahill told The Epoch Times.
Thomas Cahill attends the presidential debate watch party at the Ulysses Bar and Restaurant in New York City on Sept. 10, 2024. Juliette Fairley/The Epoch Times
Even as they voiced support for their candidate, many guests at the pub looked intrigued when the issue of Harris’s race emerged.
Trump previously said that Harris had not identified as both black and Indian. But Elizabeth said she felt Harris handled Trump’s comments and questions very well.
“Kamala is a black Indian woman, so she knows herself better than he does and she knows the black American experience better than he does,” Elizabeth added.
“She knows the Indian American, the minority, and the woman experience better than he does. He’s just swapping out whatever she says.”
Another patron, Joe Ambersoli, 36, who is supporting Trump, said that the Democrats, overall, haven’t done anything for the American people.
“I really don’t understand how anyone can see anything different,” Ambersoli told The Epoch Times.
“Interest rates are through the roof. Inflation is through the roof. I go buy eggs now and it’s $8 a carton. I go buy chicken and it’s $25 a package. Gas is through the roof. Crime has gone up.”
