Politics

Here’s how Mass. pols are reacting to last night’s debate

Leaders from Massachusetts had some strong takeaways after watching the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris participate in the presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Alex Brandon / AP

By Ross Cristantiello

September 11, 2024

1 minute to read

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump met Tuesday in Philadelphia for a highly anticipated debate, perhaps the only such showdown that will happen before Election Day. In a lengthy, and combative, matchup the two traded barbs and pitched voters on their vision of America.

Millions around the country watched, including notable politicians in Massachusetts. Here’s a roundup of some of their reactions to the debate.

Gov. Maura Healey

✅Grow our economy
✅Lower costs for the middle class
✅Protect women’s access to health care

This debate made clear: Kamala Harris cares about you, Donald Trump cares about himself.

We aren’t going back. Now let’s win this thing @kamalaharris!
— Maura Healey (@maura_healey) September 11, 2024

Sen. Elizabeth Warren

When it comes to our families, our futures, and our freedoms, Kamala Harris is the candidate we can trust. Now let’s do everything we can to make sure she is the next president of the United States.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) September 11, 2024

Kamala Harris is right: to bring down the cost of housing, we’ve got to increase supply. I’ve got a bill for that, and I’ll fight to tackle this crisis by her side. https://t.co/A4P5g7bCvX
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) September 11, 2024

Sen. Ed Markey

Kamala Harris just did to Donald Trump what renewable energy is going to do to fossil fuels. Total domination.
— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) September 11, 2024

Senate candidate John Deaton

It is shocking to me that the DEBT CRISIS this country is facing was not discussed one time, during possibly the ONLY Presidential debate we will have. U.S. debt stands at $35.35T. Credit card debt is over $1.14T with delinquencies rising. Student loan debt is at $1.74T. The U.S.…
— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) September 11, 2024

Rep. Ayanna Pressley

.@KamalaHarris didn't just meet the moment—she exceeded it.

She spoke with command & demonstrated the character, conviction & experience necessary to lead.

I'm ready to elect her President & build a just, inclusive America where our freedoms are protected & everyone can thrive.
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) September 11, 2024

Rep. Seth Moulton

One candidate is talking about expanding freedoms for American families, bringing costs down, and defending our Constitution.

The other guy just said they're eating dogs in Ohio. https://t.co/8a5oWO6ObC
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) September 11, 2024

Donald Trump has given up on our country. He says we are a nation in decline, a nation that's "dying."

Americans deserve a leader who believes in our country, who has the energy and faith to make it better. Instead of tearing our country down, Democrats want America to succeed.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) September 11, 2024

Trump's foreign policy views are unhinged and dangerous.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) September 11, 2024

Of course @realDonaldTrump’s scared to do another after how badly he got schooled in this one https://t.co/6rNbFILErT
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) September 11, 2024

Rep. Lori Trahan

Tonight’s debate featured two very different visions for our future:

Donald Trump’s rambling, chaos, and divisiveness versus Vice President Harris’s focus on helping every American.

It’s time to move our country forward, and we can do that by electing @KamalaHarris.
— Lori Trahan (@LoriTrahanMA) September 11, 2024

When I was in Normandy meeting with World War II veterans on the anniversary of D-Day, every single one of them talked about the importance of standing with Ukraine, supporting our allies, and protecting our national security.

I’ll take their word over Donald Trump’s.
— Lori Trahan (@LoriTrahanMA) September 11, 2024

Donald Trump tried to overturn the will of the American people in 2020, and then he stood by on January 6th while a violent mob attacked the Capitol, beat police officers, and chanted about hanging Trump’s own Vice President.

We’re not going back to chaos. Let’s turn the page.
— Lori Trahan (@LoriTrahanMA) September 11, 2024

We had bipartisan legislation to strengthen our border security and update our broken immigration laws. It wasn’t perfect but it was the first serious chance to address this issue in decades.

Donald Trump told Republicans to kill the bill so he could use it as an election issue.
— Lori Trahan (@LoriTrahanMA) September 11, 2024

Every woman in America should have the freedom to make decisions about her own body. @KamalaHarris is the only candidate in this election who will sign a law to restore women’s reproductive rights no matter their zip code.
— Lori Trahan (@LoriTrahanMA) September 11, 2024

Rep. Jake Auchincloss

After that debate, Trump couldn’t be elected dog catcher.
— Jake Auchincloss (@JakeAuch) September 11, 2024

I commanded infantry in Afghanistan. Let's get the facts straight. Donald Trump got out-negotiated by the Taliban in Doha. He owns the deal that gave the Taliban leverage. If Trump were president today, thousands of American troops would be in Afghanistan fighting a forever war.…
— Jake Auchincloss (@JakeAuch) September 11, 2024

Trump refuses to say he wants Ukraine to win the war.

Putin’s got him in his pocket.
— Jake Auchincloss (@JakeAuch) September 11, 2024

Rep. Jim McGovern

And if you listen to @KamalaHarris, you’ll hear VP Harris talking about delivering for the middle class and restoring freedoms for all Americans. The choice is clear! https://t.co/6Epc6FgXVz
— Jim McGovern (@McGovernMA) September 11, 2024

Trump can’t even bring himself to say that he wants Ukraine to win. Pathetic.
— Jim McGovern (@McGovernMA) September 11, 2024

Rep. Bill Keating

The choice is even clearer tonight: Kamala Harris for the people, or Donald Trump for himself.
— Bill Keating (@WilliamKeating) September 11, 2024

Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune

“You are a disgrace.”

–@KamalaHarris on military leaders re Trump

💯
— Ruthzee Louijeune (@Ruthzee) September 11, 2024

Ross Cristantiello

Staff Writer

Ross Cristantiello, a general assignment news reporter for Boston.com since 2022, covers local politics, crime, the environment, and more.

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Here’s how Mass. pols are reacting to last night’s debate