Former Democratic Congressman Tim Ryan has claimed that the 2024 presidential elections will ultimately be decided by the undecided voters even though he believes that Kamala Harris won the September 10 Presidential debate against Donald Trump.
Ryan noted that it remains to be seen what undecided voters are looking for in the candidates. He added that while political insiders may claim to understand these voters, their preferences remain largely unknown, meaning that a debate victory does not necessarily guarantee election success.
Ryan called the White House elections a “tight race” and argued that undecided voters in swing states are the ultimate kingmakers in November. When asked why some voters remain undecided, Ryan admitted he had “no idea,” adding that some people do not view elections with the same urgency as others.
According to the former Congressman, this important group of voters will be mobilized near the elections, which makes the presidential race extremely tight. Ryan elaborated that undecided voters could be swayed by a candidate’s smile, demeanor, or even the tone of their voice.
Ryan is a seasoned Democrat who served in the US House from 2003 to 2023. In 2021, he announced he would not seek House reelection but instead run for the Senate. He faced Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, in the 2022 Senate elections and lost by more than a 6% margin.
He said that nearly 20 million of the 340 million Americans remain undecided in the elections and are still busy in their daily lives. Ryan added that these individuals continue to work, raise families, and enjoy weekend football games, but they have yet to begin to focus on the election.
Most political observers and analysts believe Kamala Harris delivered an impressive performance during the debate, rattling Trump with her energetic approach and unexpected facial expressions. Some analysts also claim that Harris’s body language, particularly her sarcastic smiles, made Trump appear less credible during the debate.
Post-debate polls also show Harris widening her lead over Trump. The latest Reuters polls suggest that 47 percent of voters support Harris while 42 percent back Trump after the debate. Harris held a four-point lead over Trump in the same poll last month.
While Trump claimed victory in the debate, some of his aides also expressed skepticism in private, noting that the former president struggled to impress undecided and moderate voters.
Meanwhile, the possibility of another debate between the two White House contenders remains slim. The Harris campaign invited Trump to a second debate, but the former president rejected the proposal, claiming that he had already won the first debate.
