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After the Philadelphia debate, voters in Bucks County say Harris won, but few changed their minds
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After the Philadelphia debate, voters in Bucks County say Harris won, but few changed their minds

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — Voters in Bucks County watched the controversial debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, and they came to differing opinions.

“She did a fantastic job,” said Dorie Moody, a Harris supporter from Warrington.

“I didn’t learn anything new. They were both weak,” said Joseph Pinciotti, a Trump supporter from Newtown.

“I’m a little concerned on both sides,” said Ed Phalen of Doylestown.

Those who supported Harris were pleased with the vice president’s performance.

“I think Kamala has shown that she has a good sense of how she wants to run this country,” said Diana Cervasio of Chalfont.

On the other hand, Trump supporters were not so happy with what they saw from the former president. They did not beat around the bush.

“She won it,” said Bucks County Trump supporter Matt Sienko. “I hate to say it, but he lost.”

“Trump had a great opportunity and he blew it,” said Daniel Compain, a Trump supporter from Doylestown. “He wasn’t at his best.”

The debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia showed The Importance of Pennsylvania to this race. CBS News pollreleased days before the debate showed a close 50-50 race between Harris and Trump in the commonwealth. And Bucks County in particular could be tight, as President Biden outpolled Trump in the county by just 4% in 2020.

Despite their thoughts about the debate, voters who spoke to CBS News Philadelphia were not swayed from their favorite candidate. However, Harris and Trump are likely trying to win over a small portion of the pivotal state’s undecided voters — people like Ed Phalen of Doylestown.

“I’m leaning more to one side now than I was last week,” Phalen said.

“That was because of the debate,” he replied when asked whether the debate had brought about that change.

Phalen would not reveal which candidate he is leaning towards now. He did talk about what he saw on Tuesday and what struck him.

“I think reason, logic and just tone. So I kind of lean toward someone who is a little bit more reserved,” Phalan said.

But Phalan said it was far from a perfect performance by either Harris or Trump, and he still has concerns. CBS News polls show that the top priorities for Pennsylvania voters are the economy, immigration and the state of democracy. Although the candidates were asked about those issues, Phelan and other voters said they wanted to hear more policy and less personal attacks.

“I heard about immigration, I heard about the economy. But I didn’t really find anything substantial there. It was just a lot of back and forth,” Phelan said.

“I wish I heard less politics and more programs, like what the heart of the matter should be,” Sienko said.

Knowing that Pennsylvania is likely to be a close race, even swinging a few voters in either direction could be huge for Trump or Harris. But voters we spoke to on Wednesday were split on whether the candidates could actually do that.

“You just don’t know. It’s hard to measure the temperature, it changes almost daily,” Moody said.

“No. It’s not going to change anyone’s opinion,” Pinciotti said.

“I think we’re going to see a shift in the coming days,” Phalan said.