Sun Sep 15 14:06:14 UTC 2024: ## Kamala Harris’s “Vertiginous, Pseudo-Nietzschean Legerdemain” at the ABC Debate
**Fresno, CA** – In a recent commentary on the ABC debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, MtnClimber, a contributor to the online forum Free Republic, argues that Harris’s performance was a masterclass in “vertiginous, pseudo-Nietzschean legerdemain” – a skillful manipulation of truth through Nietzschean principles of relativity and the power of language.
MtnClimber cites Friedrich Nietzsche’s essay “On Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense” to support his claim. He highlights Nietzsche’s assertion that “truth” is merely a collection of metaphors, metonymies, and anthropomorphisms that have become ingrained in our collective consciousness. He contends that Harris used this “fixed convention” of truth to her advantage, employing a series of demonstrably false statements to her benefit.
The commentator cites specific examples of Harris’s alleged lies during the debate, including claims about Trump’s stances on issues like the Charlottesville rally and the auto industry, as well as her assertion that there were no active-duty American military personnel in combat zones.
MtnClimber also criticizes the debate moderators for their biased “fact-checking” that seemingly favored Harris while allowing her false statements to go unchallenged. He argues that the debate was “a sort of ambush” where the moderators acted as Harris’s “stage managers and stunt doubles.”
Despite initial impressions that Harris had won the debate, MtnClimber argues that the post-debate consensus has shifted as evidence of Harris’s lies and the moderators’ bias has emerged. He further asserts that Trump’s performance, despite being initially perceived as weaker, is now being recognized as a strategic victory due to his use of powerful, memorable rhetoric.
The commentary concludes by suggesting that Harris’s lies are a deliberate tactic, highlighting Nietzsche’s idea that “the lie is the weapon used most often by the criminal.” The author also raises questions about Harris’s political motivations, wondering “why they are trying to start WWIII.”
This commentary, while presented as an opinion piece, raises serious questions about the integrity of political discourse and the role of media in shaping public perception. It serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking in navigating the complexities of political rhetoric.
First Piper 