Presidential Closing Arguments Analyzed for Dignity and Contempt

 

Panel Shows Striking Bipartisan Agreement on Scores

UNITE, the non-profit founded by Tim Shriver to ease the country’s political divisions, today released its Dignity Index scores on closing arguments from former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The panel’s scores showed very strong bipartisan agreement, while the comments showed deepening fatigue with contempt. 

“The exhausted majority is becoming more exhausted,” said Shriver. “And it’s not just the people in the middle. The partisan wings are weary of contempt too, even when it comes from their own side. As we near the end of the campaign, Americans are starving for politicians who can speak to all voters with dignity and show the rest of the candidates how.”   

The anti-polarization research group “More in Common,” UNITE’s partner in forming the National Citizens Panel, is famous for coining the phrase “The Exhausted Majority” –citizens whose political views put them in between the partisan wings and who are not energized but exhausted by the partisan combat. The comments on this week’s scores show the panelists’ exhaustion is deepening and spreading. 

One panelist in the middle commented with their FOUR score, “The mudslinging continues as election day gets closer.”  The same panelist wrote in response to another statement they scored a THREE: “More mudslinging. It seems they have exhausted all areas of argument and are down to name calling.” 

A panelist on the right wrote: “there is very little dignity in this election.”  Another on the right said: “…attacking the other side continues to promote everything that is wrong with America and American politics in particular.”

A panelist in the middle wrote: “I will be so glad when this election is over, I have not heard so much hate coming from political speech in my life.”  

A panelist on the left, responding to a fact-based policy statement and choosing a FIVE score, said: “This is what I want out of my politicians.”  

Three panelists, who seemed weary and skeptical, commented in the same way on Harris’s call for working with the other side. They scored it a FIVE, for stating your position openly, not a SIX for searching for common interests and values. As the panelist on the right wrote, “to rank this higher, I need to see that cooperation.”

“As we near election day, it’s a time of high anxiety for everyone in the country, especially the candidates,” said Tom Rosshirt, co-creator of the Dignity Index. “It’s common, when we’re anxious, to stick with what we know, which is why it’s hard for candidates and campaigns to try dignity instead of contempt. That’s why we’re going to close the work of the National Citizens Panel on November 15 by issuing Dignity Awards for language spoken by candidates after election day.”  

Next Friday, November 8, the panel will issue scores on victory and concession speeches following election day.

 

THE LATEST SCORES

Panelists score by matching language from the speech passage with descriptions in the Dignity Index scoring guide, which is available here. 

 
 
 
 
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8
They deserve to have a President who’s focused on them, as opposed to a Donald Trump who’s constantly focused on himself.
Kamala Harris
In an interview on NBC
4 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this contempt dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Makes a personal attack on the other, targeting performance, competence, appearance, background, character or morals.
Subtext goes here
Ascribes all the good qualities to "us" and all the bad qualities to "them."
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
The mudslinging continues as election day gets closer
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
47% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
3.67
• Left Avg: 3.67
• Middle Avg: 3.81
• Right Avg: 3.48
Agreement: Strong
88%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
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3
4
5
6
7
8
Well, look at these guys in Congress. All these sleazebags in Congress that are Democrats. They're still denying 2016.
Donald Trump
In an interview on The Joe Rogan Experience Podcast discussing the 2016 election results.
3 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this contempt dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Makes a personal attack on the other, targeting performance, competence, appearance, background, character or morals.
Subtext goes here
Disdains the other side.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
More mudslinging, it seems they have exhausted all areas of argument and are down to name calling.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
He is calling Democrats in congress sleazebags
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
63% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
2.97
• Left Avg: 2.96
• Middle Avg: 2.90
• Right Avg: 3.10
Agreement: Very Strong
100%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
All of those areas I plan on working across the aisle and with Congress, including the issue of immigration, which we’ve got to fix.
Kamala Harris
In response to a question about policy goals at a townhall in Chester Township, Pennsylvania.
5 & 6 are tied for the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this scored as
contempt and dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
We talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share, and using them as a basis for cooperation.
Subtext goes here
Speaks openly, explaining their views, but never with contempt.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
Can't deny by this statement she wants to work together.
A panelist on the right , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
This clearly indicates the willingness to meet and talk with people, find common values and interests and solve problems together.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
So I scored a 5 because to me it's just Kamala sharing her views, speaking openly with no contempt
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
92% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
5.54
• Left Avg: 5.79
• Middle Avg: 5.39
• Right Avg: 5.48
Agreement: Very Strong
97%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
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5
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8
There's a big difference between he and I. If he were elected on day one, he is gonna be sitting in the oval office working on his enemies list. On day one if I am elected President of the United States, which I fully intend to be, I will be working on behalf of the American people, on my to do list.
Kamala Harris
Referring to the Republican candidate for President, Donald Trump.
3 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this contempt dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Makes a personal attack on the other, targeting performance, competence, appearance, background, character or morals.
Subtext goes here
Ascribes all the good qualities to "us" and all the bad qualities to "them."
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
Trying to demean the other side without any validation just to make the other side fail. Also trying to say that the other side is not capable of taking care of people's interests.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
I scored this a 4. The statement had an edge of attack on trump but was not made with any contempt. I think VP Harris was making a broad statement about the difference between her and trump. It was not meant to elicit any form of discussion on differences between the two parties. Rather it showcased her idea of what she believes trump would do if he were elected as president again.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
37% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
3.53
• Left Avg: 3.50
• Middle Avg: 3.74
• Right Avg: 3.24
Agreement: Strong
83%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
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5
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8
I will massively cut taxes for workers and small businesses, and we will have no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on social security benefits for our seniors. And I am announcing a new policy today that I will support a tax credit for family caregivers who take care of a parent or a loved one. It's about time that they were recognized right?
Donald Trump
In a campaign speech at Madison Square Garden.
5 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this contempt dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
I share my views with no contempt so they're easier for others to hear.
Subtext goes here
Speaks openly, explaining their views, but never with contempt.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
He sharing his views and what he plans on doing openly
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
This commentary embodies everything that political campaigning should be and do.
A panelist on the right , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
74% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
5.30
• Left Avg: 5.13
• Middle Avg: 5.42
• Right Avg: 5.33
Agreement: Very Strong
97%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
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5
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8
As Governor of Minnesota I signed one of the biggest packages of pro worker policies in the history of Minnesota. It is making Minnesota one of the best states for workers, and guess what, one of the best states for business. You can do both. That's Kamala's vision for the entire country, where workers are respected, they're lifted up, they're paid, they're protected, and we grow our economy.
Tim Walz
In a speech at a Harris-Walz rally in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
5 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this contempt dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Speaks openly, explaining their views, but never with contempt.
Subtext goes here
I share my views with no contempt so they're easier for others to hear.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
Again, just a statement with no contempt or engaging of the other side.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Doesn't engage the other side simply States views with no contempt States goals
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
55% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
5.26
• Left Avg: 5.38
• Middle Avg: 5.32
• Right Avg: 5.05
Agreement: Strong
88%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Oh, my God. Kamala Harris is a train wreck who has destroyed everything in her path. To make her President would be a gamble with the lives of millions and millions of people. She would get us into World War Three. We’re very close to World War Three. If you don’t have a smart President, you don’t have a president that gets it.
Donald Trump
In a campaign speech at Madison Square Garden.
2 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this contempt dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Believes the other side is an existential threat.
Subtext goes here
Those people are evil. They're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
I was going to give this quote a 3 but it soons reached a 2 when Trump starting saying Harris would cause world war 3 to occur. I say it is a 3 since Trump clearly believes if she is elected president then the events of world war 3 are soon to occur shortly after and based off the other two we had to experience as a country, I would consider those existential threats. So the fact he mentions her becoming president will eventually enter this country into a war that will cause catastrophic damage, I would give this a 2.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
The quote certainly suggests existential threat.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
43% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
2.54
• Left Avg: 2.21
• Middle Avg: 2.68
• Right Avg: 2.71
Agreement: Very Strong
97%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
She's unfit for office, everyone knows it. No one respects her, no one trusts her, no one takes her seriously. Everyone knows she is a very low I.Q. individual.
Donald Trump
Referring to the Democratic candidate for President, Kamala Harris, in campaign speech at Madison Square Garden.
3 is the most frequently chosen score by members of the National Citizens Panel.
Why was this contempt dignity ?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Makes a personal attack on the other, targeting performance, competence, appearance, background, character or morals.
Subtext goes here
Disdains the other side.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
Again we come back to the attacks and insults. For me this is a 3 because we can clearly see how Kamala Harris is being attacked and again I don't agree or believe that's the smartest strategy to win election. I mean I can be wrong, but insulting and referring to someone as "low I.Q. Individual, and that no one trust her" is like your doubting about her work performance and that's not right.
A panelist on the right , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Considering that 1/2 of voting Americans support Harris in the polls, a statement like this is ludicrous.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
How can this nation come together when a politician is constantly berating his opponent. This has to stop.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
78% of all panelists
Contempt
Dignity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average Score
2.89
• Left Avg: 2.83
• Middle Avg: 2.97
• Right Avg: 2.86
Agreement: Very Strong
100%
of panelists
agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY

All of the National Citizen Panelist quotes have been attributed verbatim to retain the authenticity of the language.

Press Contact: press@unite.us

 
Ashley Guckertnational citizens panel