Most media observers were quick to declare that Vice President Kamala Harris was victorious in last week's debate with former President Donald Trump.

However, the experience of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may serve as a warning to Harris' campaign. 

Clinton also said to have won her first debate against Trump

As Newsweek contributor Martha McHardy pointed out in an article published on Thursday, Clinton was widely regarded as having won her first debate against Trump 2016.

While Clinton did go on to win the popular vote when Americans cast their ballots just over a month later, she lost in the Electoral College.

McHardy noted that 2012's Republican nominee Mitt Romney also seemed to have bested then-President Barack Obama before losing that year's election.

Thomas Gift serves as director of the center on US Politics at University College London, and he told McHardy that debates often don't determine the outcome of presidential races.

Most voters do not watch debates

"Only a fraction of Americans watched the debate live, and these are voters who are disproportionately politically activated and have already made up their minds on Harris and Trump," Gift explained.

"Most voters will form their opinion of the debate through short, selective clips within the echo chamber of partisan media," he continued.

"If all you watch is Fox News or Newsmax, for example, you'll see a much different retelling of the debate than if you consume news through most of the mainstream media," the academic went on to add.

Harris' performance doesn't appear to have helped in North Carolina, as a post-debate poll shows her losing to Trump in the Tar Heel State.

Voters trust Trump over Harris on most issues

Carried out by Quantus Polls and News among 815 likely North Carolina voters between September 11 and September 12, it showed Trump capturing 50% of the vote while Harris lagged at 48.3%.

What's more, the survey found Trump to be more trusted Harris when it comes to the economy, immigration, and national security.

From today's North Carolina poll release. You would know this if you went to my substack.

Trust on Key Issues
Donald Trump holds an edge on economic matters, with 51% of voters trusting him more on the economy and jobs, compared to 46% for Harris. Trump also leads on… pic.twitter.com/SqvTeIhohJ

— Quantus Polls and News (@QPollsandnews) September 13, 2024

Sixty percent of respondents named the economy as their top issue while 17% cited immigration and border security. Abortion, which was the only issue on which Harris outperformed Trump, came in third at 16%.