Harris Takes First TV Debate Victory? The Election Still Remains Unpredictable

The first TV debate of the 2024 U.S. presidential election concluded yesterday morning, 

The first TV debate of the 2024 U.S. presidential election concluded yesterday morning, Korean time. The immediate reaction from major international news outlets suggests that Democratic candidate Kamala Harris had a slight edge. However, the overall election landscape remains uncertain. Here’s a closer look at the debate’s outcomes and their potential impact on the U.S. election.

The first TV debate of the 2024 U.S. presidential election took place yesterday morning, Korean time. Following the debate, major international news outlets generally reported that Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, showed a slight advantage. For instance, the British Financial Times, known for its centrist views, headlined "Harris Needles Trump in Fiery Presidential Debate," indicating that Harris successfully provoked Trump. The conservative-leaning Wall Street Journal in the U.S. used the headline "Harris Baits Trump in Fiery Presidential Debate," while the centrist-leaning New York Times reported, "Harris Puts Trump on Defensive in Fierce Debate."

Contrary to predictions that Trump, experienced in media exposure, would dominate the debate with attacks while Harris, less familiar with media scrutiny, would mostly defend, Harris actually led more aggressive moments. Consequently, South Korean media also echoed the international sentiment that Harris performed slightly better.

However, in a strongly divided two-party system like the U.S., a marginal advantage in one debate is unlikely to shift the overall election dynamics. The significance of this TV debate was heightened by the concern that Harris might perform poorly, potentially impacting her campaign negatively. There are even predictions that pop star Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris right after the debate might have a slightly greater impact than the debate results in a closely contested race. As a result, the U.S. election remains in a state of uncertainty where predicting the winner is still challenging.

In the South Korean stock market, shares related to secondary batteries, considered to benefit from Harris’s candidacy, saw a significant rise. ‘Harris-themed’ stocks include secondary batteries, Medicare, and renewable energy, while ‘Trump-themed’ stocks involve defense and cryptocurrencies. Observing the U.S. market reactions, including those from big tech and energy sectors, is crucial. The debate touched on major issues such as big tech regulation and shale oil extraction methods, which will likely influence market responses.

Despite Kamala Harris gaining a slight advantage in the first TV debate, the overall election landscape remains unpredictable. The U.S. presidential race continues to be marked by uncertainty, and future developments could significantly alter the current outlook. Monitoring both domestic and international market reactions and political developments will be essential as the election progresses.