Undecided voters across five key states remain unconvinced by media pundits who assert that Vice President Kamala Harris won the latest presidential debate.

Surveyed voters expressed frustration stemming from Tuesday's event, citing a lack of specific policy proposals from Harris, leading many to still sit on the fence or lean toward former President Donald Trump, as Breitbart reports.

The New York Times conducted interviews with undecided voters, revealing a divide between media commentary and voter concerns.

While pundits praised Harris's performance, voters across Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Arizona, and Wisconsin expressed disappointment with her lack of detailed answers on critical issues like immigration and foreign policy.

Voters Want Policy Clarity From Harris

A recurring theme among the interviewed voters was the perceived absence of a clear policy vision from Harris. Bob and Sharon Reed, retired teachers from central Pennsylvania, found the debate lacking in substance. Shaon Reed remarked, "It was all disappointing," reflecting the couple's overall discontent with the event.

Similarly, a voter from Wisconsin shared that while Harris touched on the Jan. 6 unrest and Trump’s alleged involvement, she failed to distinguish herself from President Joe Biden. This voter, who remains undecided, emphasized the desire for change but felt that Harris “did not seem much different from Mr. Biden.”

A 19-year-old college student from Milwaukee echoed this sentiment. The student, who liked Harris personally, expressed concern over the lack of policy specifics. With the rising cost of living at the forefront of their mind, the student remained unconvinced by Harris’s performance, noting, “She still has to impress me.”

Trump Gains Ground Among Some Undecided Voters

In contrast to Harris, Trump managed to secure slightly more support among the undecided group. Out of the voters interviewed, Trump gained two additional votes compared to Harris's one. A North Carolina woman found Trump’s pitch more compelling, stating that “Trump’s pitch was a little more convincing than hers,” and she admitted to leaning more on his “facts” than Harris’s vision.

This voter went further, reflecting on her experience during Trump’s presidency, saying, “When Trump was in office -- not going to lie -- I was living way better.” Her comments reveal a growing nostalgia for the previous administration’s economic policies, particularly in light of recent financial hardships.

Arizona Voter Sees Both Candidates as Flawed

Meanwhile, an undecided voter from Arizona found Trump’s presentation to be more commanding, though they acknowledged his erratic behavior. Describing Trump’s demeanor, the voter said, “Trump had the more commanding presentation,” but admitted that he “came off as crazy.”

This voter, like others, was dissatisfied with both candidates. They saw Harris as evasive and dishonest, expressing disappointment with her debate performance. “There was nothing done by Harris that made me think she’s better. In any way,” the Arizona voter noted, summing up their frustration with the vice president's approach.

Media Narrative Conflicts With Voter Sentiment

The uniform response from undecided voters stands in stark contrast to the overwhelmingly positive media coverage of Kamala Harris’s debate performance. While political pundits lauded Harris for her composure and control during the debate, voters are seeking more than surface-level qualities. The central critique remains her lack of specific policy proposals, particularly on the most pressing issues facing Americans today.

One of the key moments that Harris’s supporters applauded was her addressing of Donald Trump's role in the Jan. 6 Capitol protests. However, this argument did little to sway many undecided voters, who were more concerned with her plans for the future rather than a focus on the past.

Undecided Voters Still Seek Leadership Change

Voters who are still undecided, or even leaning toward Trump, consistently expressed a desire for a leader who offers a fresh vision and actionable solutions. A number of those interviewed feel that Harris, in her role as vice president, is too closely aligned with President Biden to present herself as a candidate for change.

For many, the perceived continuity between Harris and Biden is a problem. As the undecided Wisconsin voter explained, “She didn’t, kind of, separate herself.” This sentiment was shared across multiple voters, who saw Harris's alignment with the current administration as a barrier to securing their votes.

Final Thoughts from Undecided Voters

Despite the media's general agreement that Harris performed well in the debate, the interviews make it clear that voters are more interested in substance than style. The North Carolina woman’s remark, “I guess I’m leaning more on his facts than her vision,” encapsulates the frustration many voters feel with Harris’s failure to present concrete policy details.

Even voters who acknowledged Trump’s personal flaws, including his “crazy” persona, found his messaging more compelling. The Arizona voter’s remarks that “Trump had the more commanding presentation” but also seemed incoherent and peevish reflect the complicated choices undecided voters face as the election looms.

Conclusion

Undecided voters from five key states are dissatisfied with Vice President Kamala Harris’s debate performance, citing a lack of policy specifics and a failure to distinguish herself from President Joe Biden.

While some voters are still on the fence, Trump has gained slight traction due to his more convincing pitch, though his "crazy" persona continues to be a concern.

Ultimately, both candidates were seen as flawed, leaving voters with difficult choices ahead of the election.