On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Wellesley students gathered in basements, dorm rooms and academic spaces to watch former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris face off in the first presidential debate since President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and Harris secured the Democratic nomination. While the debate itself was a fascinating spectacle, from Trump’s fascination with executing babies, to Harris’s gun ownership, to the moderators’ poignant fact-checking, the reactions of our fellow Wellesley students were just as interesting and thought-provoking. While many journalists are endlessly debating the supposed winners and losers of the presidential showdown, this article considers the voices of Wellesley students directly: what their perspectives mean for this upcoming election and the campus community at large.
“Majoring in transgender operation on illegal immigrants” – Sidechat
This quote was perhaps one of the most engaging and upvoted sidechat posts immediately following the debate. It is in reference to a controversial quote from former President Trump who alleged that Harris intends to “do transgender operations on illegal aliens who are in prison.” The quote requires significant context, as it likely refers to Harris’s response to an ACLU questionnaire addressing the rights of incarcerated individuals. Regardless, it is refreshing to see a large quantity of Wellesley students actively engaging with political media, finding humor amidst the seriousness and showcasing the critical self-awareness shaped by a liberal arts education.
“Well that was a very … political answer” – Overheard at PSMC viewing in PUNE
As the debate shifted towards foreign policy, the moderators questioned the Vice President on her plans to end the violence in Gaza. The ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people and the United States’ continued support for Israel has haunted Harris’s campaign, and it is a commonly cited concern amongst undecided Wellesley students. During the debate, Harris tried to strike a middle ground between denouncing the violence against Palestinians and maintaining support for the state of Israel. She used politically charged language to describe the “slaughter” of innocent Israelis on Oct. 7, but she also called for an immediate ceasefire. Moreover, she affirmed Palestinians’ “right to self-determination” while also upholding Israel’s “right to defend itself” against Hamas — a stance that many Wellesley students watching the debate in the packed Cazenove TV room found paradoxical, hollow and disingenuous. In the end, to the dismay of many unconvinced of Harris’ sincerity in supporting Palestine, her answer didn’t mark a significant change in her strategy or a signal a departure from the stance of the Biden Administration. So, while she likely maintains support of AIPAC, the answer fell flat to many Wellesley students and others concerned about the United States’s continual supply of weapons to Israel.
“We need a Wellesley Republican Club” – Sidechat
This post faced significant backlash from the Wellesley community on Sidechat, but it presents an interesting question of how one might understand political diversity — even in an election season as contentious and high-stake as this one. Wellesley does not currently have an active Republican student chapter. It is frequently discussed how Secretary of State and notable Wellesley alum, Hillary Clinton, was a former member of the Wellesley Republican club. Many have argued that the present Wellesley community harbors significantly less political diversity compared to other points in its political history. However, these statements require context. On the one hand, while Wellesley campus definitely leans liberal, it is also true that more conservative Wellesley students will often isolate themselves to smaller political circles as they know their views will be rejected by most of the campus community. Additionally, the massively negative reaction towards the desire for a Wellesley Republican club is likely exaggerated due to the false and incredibly harmful statements made by the Republican Party’s nominee. As to the potential for a Wellesley Republican club, many on this campus would benefit from increased exposure to different political ideas; however, it seems difficult to imagine a conservative org on this campus that would not also act as a safe haven for racism, elitism, homophobia and transphobia.
“I think she’s going to win … he went off the rails” – a construction worker at the KSC pool
Both major media outlets and the larger Wellesley community seem to agree that Vice President Kamala Harris offered a good performance during the presidential debate. She was successfully able to goad and push Trump towards incoherent rants. This success has also been reflected in the polls where Harris has either maintained her lead or seen a slight boost. Regardless, many on the Wellesley campus, including these writers, are optimistic about the Vice President’s chances come November.
Contact the editor(s) responsible for this story: Caitlin Donovan
