The candidates for the two major political parties in the United States, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in the early hours of Friday went at each other in a much anticipated historic debate hosted by Cable News Network (CNN).
The battle lines between the two men could not have been clearer; both have served as commander-in-chief, hence, a record to defend or extol. It was the Biden years versus the Trump regime, liberal against conservative, Democrats hoping to avoid a historic White House return by the 45th President, Donald Trump.
The first debate between Biden and Trump in nearly four years was a foreshadowing as Americans near a watershed moment in its history. We made some observations;
Frail and Old Joe
Those who sounded the alarm on President Biden’s age and mental sharpness to deal with the pressures of the presidency appear to have been vindicated. The 46th president was slow and incomprehensible in his attempt to answer and rebut Trump’s talking points. He clearly left so much to be desired.
Trump thrived without fact-check
As part of debate negotiations, CNN agreed not to pushback on inaccurate claims a candidate may make and the biggest winner was Donald Trump. He bulldozed his way through questions with half-truths and completely made up facts to support his narrative. Unfortunately, Joe Biden could not be that effective fact-check machine.
A disciplined and measured Trump
Donald Trump learned immensely from his 2020 debate with Biden during which he interrupted the Democratic presidential candidate several dozens of times. That diminished Trump’s already low likability ratings and while the muted microphones may have played a role, Donald Trump largely restrained himself from using the abusive language he is known for.
Utter contempt for each other
Joe Biden and Donald Trump detest each other and that much was on display on the debate stage. Both refused to shake hands with each other at the start of debate and when the event was over, Trump departed backstage leaving Biden who was soon joined by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. In the course of the contest, both accused each other of being the worst president in the history of America. Biden said Trump had “the morals of an alley cat,” referencing the former president’s alleged episode with adult film star, Stormy Daniels.
Foreign Policy still a key aspect in American politics
Much as a growing number of politicians and media outlets in the United States have advocated for a nativist America, the utopian goal is yet to materialize. Foreign matters involving Europe and the Middle East remain sticky areas for the United States. The two candidates shared their views on how to pursue the Russia-Ukraine War and finally bring Israel’s war in Gaza to an end.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Mitchell Asare Amoamah