Anxiety and antipathy brimmed from both political spectrums during the latest debate, under the humid Atlanta night sky. The animosity between the two elderly contestants was palpable, and one seemed evidently more content than his opponent in the aftermath.
People’s perception certainly is crucial and many quickly reached a conclusion following the debate – Joe Biden, the current President, had failed to meet expectations. His flailing performance aroused an immediate sense of apprehension among the Democratic Party members. As people watched on national TV, their unspoken fears began to take a horrifying form: It seemed Biden might not be able to shoulder the burden.
Post-debate discussions on CNN featured comments from analysts, including David Axelrod, former adviser to Obama. The conversations revolved around who would, and could, break it to Joe and Jill Biden that it might be time to step down.
Biden’s voice was notably hoarse and unclear in the beginning, and he often didn’t utilise his full two minutes’ speaking time, appearing rather absent-minded at times. Yet, he also demonstrated instances of vigor and crisp articulation.
However, comparing him to his 2020 version, Biden appeared as a feeble imitation. He seemed lightyears away from the commanding persona that had Democrats hooting “four more years” during the state of the union address in March.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, was characteristically brisk in his speech, assertive, and riddled with remarks that fact-checkers subsequently debunked as exaggerated or entirely false. Yet, he maintained his agenda without going overly personal, and that seemed sufficient.
Shortly after the debate concluded, the media hall at CNN, located adjacent to the quarantined debate area, teemed with leading figures from Trump’s circle. Potential vice-presidential candidates like Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, and Elise Stanfanik pushed the view that this was unquestionable evidence of Biden’s decline.
The atmosphere was celebratory and also had a tinge of ferocity. Matt Gaetz, the infamously controversial Republican from Florida, was one of the first to react.
“Joe Biden found himself unable to convincingly stand up for his record on border control or the country’s economic state, exemplifying his lack of presidential competency. The repercussion of his disappointing performance, as noted by both Democrat and Republican associates, could lead to the Democrats losing between 20 to 30 seats in the House. He shared these thoughts, a smirk haunting his face.
“In the days ahead, expect a growing number of voices suggesting Biden rethinks his decision to run. Democrats, however, have little choice but to support him, having missed their window to alternate candidates. ‘Biden is their man,’ he sneered.
Even though these statements may come off as standard party-line rhetoric, they echo the deep-seated anxieties and doubts that haunt late-night conversations within the Democratic ranks. The concerns related to relying on an 81-year-old figurehead for another four-year term were glaringly apparent throughout the 90-minute encounter.
Republican veteran Lindsey Graham expressed his personal views post-debate with an air of faux regret. “I believe Trump performed commendably,” he observed. “Biden, on the other hand, appeared confused and weak. Trump’s strength and coherence were evident, regardless of one’s agreement with his viewpoints.”
The Republicans held sway for a significant portion of the debate, before California Governor Gavin Newsom made his entrance, under the spotlight of innumerable cameras and journalists, in an effort to support the flailing President. His comments, however, were largely drowned amid the media chaos.
The signs were ominous for Biden from the onset; from his weary, tentative entrance, to his initial words that were indistinct and lacked conviction, the American viewing public’s first impression was far from positive.
Separated on the screen by a thin white line, former President Trump and Biden squared off in a live televised event, reminiscent of a bygone era where such events held collective appeal. The lack of a handshake further drove home the tense animosity between the two rivals.”
The 2020 presidential debate between Biden and Trump was a chaotic affair that made Wolf Blitzer, the evening’s anchor, question if it might be their last. The co-host, Dana Bash, even notoriously described it as a “sh*tshow.” Four years on, many Americans look back on those years as a bleak period of pandemic and rising prices. Yet there they were, Biden and Trump, slightly more aged but still ready to go head-to-head.
The terms of the debate were clearly defined in advance. The candidates’ positions onstage were determined by a coin toss, and they each had two minutes to answer questions, followed by one minute for responses and counterarguments. To prevent interruptions, their microphones would be muted when not in use. The rules were akin to something a worn-out kindergarten teacher might create, minus the naughty corner.
In contrast to predictions, this setup initially worked, with the candidates being able to express their viewpoints uninterrupted. As political analyst Van Jones had predicted, the audience was interested in assessing the abilities of these “old guys”, gauging their transformation over the years. Public speculation ran wild with on appearance, from Biden’s stiffness to Trump’s tie. The two men were admittedly active and emotional, speaking directly to each other, visibly energising and annoying each other. The hostility between them surely made for compelling television content.
Biden’s memorable line was: “The only person on the stage that is a convicted felon is the man I’m looking at right now,” to which Trump retaliated: “He could be a convicted felon as soon as he is out of office.”
Trump’s response on the disorderly withdrawal from Afghanistan, spouted during the initial back-and-forths, provoked a clear annoyance in Biden – “The most humiliating day in our nation’s history,” he put it. The interviewers maintained the gravitas of immigration officials, peppering them with queries about economic matters, abortion, immigration issues, border security, and the events of January 6th. The week of rigorous preparation was evident: Trump and Biden remained steadfast to their narratives, with their mutual aversion sparking mutual vigour.
Regarding abortion, Biden affirmed his commitment – if he regains the presidency, Roe v Wade will be reinstated. Trump retorted with a gory judgemental image, stating Biden would willingly “extract a baby from the womb in the ninth month and terminate its life,” a claim which was powerfully and convincingly debunked by Biden.
As the debate wore on, the dialogue took a personal tone. Biden managed to push his adversary into declaration: “I never had intimate relations with that adult film star.” But as the evening advanced, the shortcoming of the debate’s framework became painfully obvious – it allowed Trump to keep reciting assertions that have been repeatedly proven as either misrepresentations or blatant untruths without challenge. There was no on-the-spot verification and the interaction was entirely live. Thus, what the voters heard remained with them.
The rigid structure of the debate arguably disadvantaged Biden. His competitor is a seemingly inexhaustible speaker who isn’t concerned with adhering strictly to the facts. Even the most steadfast Biden supporter cannot deny the fact that Trump is a more natural and persuasive orator with a biting wit and unconventional style.
On two occasions, the moderators had to remind Biden that he still had speaking time left but he had nothing further to comment. Throughout the 90-minute session, substance gradually dissipated and the impending ramifications of returning Biden to the Oval Office become more prevalent. It was a night when Trump strengthened his grip within the Republican Party, with his pathway to triumph becoming more visible.
In the clear light of day after the debate, the actual content will be dissected and perhaps even adjusted. However, America’s living rooms will be void of this spectacle. The golden opportunity was on that Thursday night, with America’s electorate huddled around their televisions. Joe Biden, the relentless stalwart of the Democratic Party, experienced one of his toughest political evenings. A summer crisis is imminent.