As we go through the aftershocks of Tuesday night’s presidential debate, one question stands out: Who “won?” While many are praising Vice President Kamala Harris and pointing fingers at the moderators’ alleged bias against former President Trump, the real question is: Who received more votes after the event?

This is where we need to draw the line between effective messaging and a solid voice strategy. Let’s face it: if good messaging doesn’t produce results, it’s meaningless.

Unfortunately for both candidates, neither seemed to make much of an impression on undecided voters.

Focus group reacts to Donald Trump’s claim that the war in Ukraine must be “resolved”.

What Kamala Harris tried to do

Harris entered the debate stage with a mission to articulate a clear vision of how the next four years under President Biden could be better than the previous ones.

• Her vision was unconvincing: Although she used her youth to her advantage, her broader vision seemed somewhat flat.
• To turn the tables: She successfully pushed Trump onto the defensive and effectively exploited his weaknesses. But did she win the voters’ enthusiasm? Not quite.
• Style points: She certainly impressed with her laid-back demeanor and some outstanding lines, but let’s be honest – style alone won’t win you votes.

Trump’s challenge in the spotlight

On the other hand, Trump had a big task: to convince voters of his stability. He should have shown his “combative” side, but instead we saw mostly the “crazy” side.

• Trump’s duality: Fortunately for Trump, voters seem to have already factored in this unpredictable behavior, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.
• Missed opportunities: He should have emphasized his strengths on sensitive issues such as the economy, inflation and immigration. Instead, he often allowed himself to be distracted by Harris’ provocations.

There was a clear winner in the Trump-Harris duel, but one should not think that this election is over.

Although Trump did not master the message game, he managed to formulate two key questions that will remain in the air even after the debate.

Important questions to consider:

1. “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?”
2. “How is Kamala Harris different from Joe Biden?”

Unfortunately, he was unable to provide the obvious answer to these questions, choosing instead to react rather than develop a solid plan.

The messaging game

Let’s not forget: a strong message that doesn’t trigger action is pretty useless.

• Harris’ strengths:She delivered her statements with confidence and had well-thought-out anecdotes at the ready. She also managed to effectively lure Trump – a smart move on her part.
• She delivered her talk confidently and had well-thought-out anecdotes at the ready.
• She also managed to effectively lure Trump – a smart move on her part.

However, after a survey of some undecided voters, it became clear that her performance convinced no one.

• Voters’ thoughts:
• Many wondered, “How would a Kamala Harris presidency really be different from what we’ve had for the last four years?” She has failed to close that huge gap.

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Messaging vs. voice strategy: The crucial difference

The bottom line is: we need to distinguish between a good message and an effective language strategy.

• See the context: Harris’ messages spoke to the audience but did not directly address the issues that really matter to voters.
• A missed connection: A compelling presentation is not enough if you can’t connect it to the issues people are passionate about.

Packing

So it’s clear that Harris has “won” in terms of her performance, but the bigger question is: will this actually translate into votes? Many doubt that there will be any significant change in the polls.

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What both candidates need is a compelling language strategy that resonates with undecided voters. Success in this election cycle depends not only on an effective message; it is about providing clear answers that speak to voters’ real hopes and concerns.

As Election Day approaches, Harris and Trump must focus more on the ultimate goal: winning the hearts and minds of voters, not just grabbing their attention. Because in the end, it’s the votes that really count.

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