Jen Psaki: Harris' most important debate answer

The moment that could help decide the election [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki Saturday, September 14, 2024 [This may have been Kamala Harris' most important debate answer]( [Alternate text] [By Jen Psaki](   Vice President Kamala Harris wiped the floor with former President Donald Trump at that debate. It started with her aggressive pursuit of a handshake and continued with the trap she set by talking about his obsession with crowd sizes. He never regained control. All that being said, debate performances alone don’t win elections. Just ask John Kerry or Hillary Clinton, who both won all of their debates and did not win their elections. But debates can help differentiate candidates and motivate voters. On Tuesday night, the key exchange, at least in my opinion, centered [around abortion rights](. After Trump boldly claimed he “did a great service” in overturning Roe v. Wade, Harris had this to say: "You want to talk about this is what people wanted, pregnant women who wanted a pregnancy to term, suffering from a miscarriage, being denied care in an emergency room because the health care providers are afraid they might go to jail, and she’s bleeding out in a car in the parking lot. She didn’t want that. Her husband didn’t want that a 12- or 13-year old survivor of incest being forced to carry a pregnancy to term. They don’t want that." She was direct, passionate and made the impact of abortion bans specific and personal. Trump, meanwhile, failed to commit to vetoing an abortion ban. There were a lot of spicy moments in this debate. But that exchange showed where Harris and Trump stand on an issue that could be a key motivator of turnout, if not voter behavior. If I were Team Harris, I would make sure Trump doesn’t forget it. [Read more exclusive insights from Jen Psaki here.](//link.msnbc.com/click/36734864.73452/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXNuYmMuY29tL2luc2lkZS13aXRoLWplbi1wc2FraS9oaWxsYXJ5LWNsaW50b24tamVuLXBzYWtpLWludGVydmlldy1yY25hMTExNDU1P2NpZD1lbWxfbWRhXzIwMjQwOTE0JnVzZXJfZW1haWw9ZDdkYzc0NTE3Mjk3YjM5NzFhYTE0ZDZmMzMxMTM1YTA4NzhmOGY2NDBmYTFhMTAxOWYxNTdiNjVjMWI1ZGQxZA/58292da26e4adc7b0b8b4914B2cda6682And tune into "Inside with Jen Psaki" Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, and Sundays at 12 p.m. ET on MSNBC.     TOP STORIES [Alternate text] [JARED HOLT]( [A dubious Facebook post became a racist Trump meme. Then came the bomb threats.]( Republicans have dissolved whatever lines existed between the conservative movement's intellectual thought-leaders and seedy digital mudslingers. [Read more.]( [CLARISSA-JAN LIM]( [Jordan Chiles said Olympic bronze medal controversy took away ‘the person I am’]( Chiles, 23, faced a frenzy of racist online attacks over her score change in the Paris Olympics floor exercise. [Read more.]( [PAUL WALDMAN]( [What Harris can learn from the latest polling on Trump-leaning rural voters]( Simply telling rural voters about what Democrats have done or will do for them won’t be enough. [Read more.]( [JA'HAN JONES]( [Patrick Mahomes’ silence on the presidential race speaks volumes]( The NFL star says he isn’t planning to endorse a candidate, which is noteworthy since he has spoken out on police misconduct and the two candidates couldn’t be more different on that issue. [Read more.](     TOP VIDEOS [Alternate text] [MORNING JOE]( [Kamala Harris widens her lead over Trump in new 2024 polling]( [WATCH NOW]( [KATY TUR]( ['Your pets are safe': Springfield, Ohio mayor slams Trump's baseless migrant theories]( [WATCH NOW]( [THE REIDOUT]( ['Insanity': Joy debunks Trump's 'deranged,' deceitful 'demonization' of Haitian immigrants]( [WATCH NOW]( [ALL IN]( ['She's a free spirit!': Trump defends relationship with far-right racist Laura Loomer]( [WATCH NOW]( [MORE FROM MSNBC]( [Alternate text] Tonight, watch "MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024," a special two-hour presentation of our premiere fan event. Tune in for compelling conversations with Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, Lawrence O'Donnell, Jen Psaki and more about this historic election, and behind-the-scenes stories and insights from your favorite hosts. Watch "MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024" tonight at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC and streaming on Peacock.   msnbc.com/democracy2024 On Monday, Hillary Clinton sits down with Rachel Maddow to discuss the current state of the election and whether she thinks Kamala Harris will be the first female president. Watch The Rachel Maddow Show Monday at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC.   MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! [Join the MSNBC Insights Community.](   This weekend on MSNBC SATURDAY - MSNBC’s “The Weekend” at 8am ET: DNC Chair Jaime Harrison… Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) - MSNBC’s “The Saturday Show” at 6pm ET: Keisha Lance Bottoms… Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.)… Max Boot… Raeshanda Lias - MSNBC Presents “MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024” at 9pm ET SUNDAY - MSNBC’s “Velshi” at 10am ET: Sen. 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