As someone who has followed American politics closely for decades, I am both excited and apprehensive about the upcoming debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. While I am fortunate enough to be able to watch this historic event as part of my job in political journalism, I believe that many Americans will tune in out of a sense of civic duty.
As someone who has spent the better part of my career covering politics, I can’t help but feel a sense of unease as I prepare for the upcoming debate between President Biden and former President Trump. Four years ago, I watched in disbelief as the two men engaged in a cringeworthy schoolyard brawl during their first debate. It was an embarrassing display of childish behavior that left many of us shaking our heads.
Except out of dedication to good citizenship.
As someone who has closely followed American politics for many years, I must admit that I often find myself feeling a sense of weary anticipation when it comes to presidential debates, especially those involving controversial figures like Donald Trump. Ronald Reagan’s famous line during his debate with Jimmy Carter in 1980 is a reminder of the high stakes and heightened tensions that can come with these events.
Approximately 73 million people watched the Biden-Trump debate in September 2020 via traditional television. I believe not all of them watched for the full 90 minutes. Moreover, many more tuned in through live streaming. For reference, this is fewer than the 160 million registered voters in the United States. The viewership was lower than expected, falling short of the record-breaking 84 million who watched Trump’s first debate with Hillary Clinton in 2016 and also below the number who viewed the Carter-Reagan debate four decades ago.
Despite what my colleague Stephen Battaglio recently pointed out, presidential debates represent one of the few shared viewing experiences in today’s fragmented TV market. A PBS News/NPR/Marist poll revealed that 6 out of 10 American adults plan to watch or closely follow Thursday’s debate. It’s great that so many people are engaged. In our divided country, a presidential debate serves as a unique communal event, even if it doesn’t offer the same level of enjoyment as a Super Bowl.
Similar to the NFL championship, many people will approach the presidential debate with strong allegiances to one candidate, unwilling to be swayed by anything said during the debate in Atlanta. Consequently, the candidates’ primary focus should be on persuading undecided voters, who are willing to watch the debates and consider their options carefully before making a decision.
Almost everybody will agree on this point: Which way does Biden and Trump appear in terms of looks, voice, and actions? Given that they are the eldest individuals to hold the presidency, both have faced valid concerns about their ability to continue serving due to their advanced ages.
In simpler terms, Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster, asked PBS News if Joe Biden could avoid appearing senile and old, and if Donald Trump could toned down his offensive behavior.
The answer to the first question is yes, Biden can, as evidenced by his impressive performance recently at Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-day, and months earlier in his feisty State of the Union address. He desperately needs to look and sound presidential again, for a much larger audience of voters who are, by definition, politically engaged. But he also needs that feistiness — not to give as good as he gets from Trump (who would want that?), but to sparingly and strategically counterpunch in ways that underscore Trump’s inanity. For example, Biden’s zinger in 2020: “Will you shut up, man?” He spoke for so many millions of us that night.
As a dedicated moviegoer, I can’t help but admit that my response to the second query is negative. Trump unfortunately cannot escape his boorish behavior. However, for his political gain, he should make an effort to change this. The debate regulations set by CNN provide some assistance in this regard: Due to Trump’s notorious habit of interrupting and hurling insults during debates, which wreaked havoc on the 2020 event, CNN will mute both candidates when it’s not their turn to speak. Additionally, there won’t be a live audience present for Trump to perform to, limiting his opportunities for attention-seeking behavior.
It’s possible that he’s labeling it as a “Fake Debate” because it seems more like an act to him. We can only hope that it resembles the genuine article instead, with less drama, deceit, and interruptions – a contest that a debate coach from high school would approve of.
In the annals of presidential debates, spanning over six decades and particularly those aired on television, the focus of viewers on candidates’ styles rather than substance is likely to reach unprecedented heights – an anomaly in debate history with RFK Jr., the potential spoiler, missing out due to not meeting the qualification requirements for enough states’ ballots.
When elderly leaders aim for re-election as heads of the free world, prioritizing style over substance may be unavoidable or even crucial. However, in today’s complex world with numerous pressing national concerns, this focus on style rather than substantial policies is less desirable.
As a concerned citizen who has witnessed the devastating effects of climate change in my community, I believe it is imperative that our leaders address this existential threat head-on. With record-breaking heatwaves, wildfires, and intense storms becoming increasingly commonplace, it’s clear that urgent action is needed to mitigate the damage and prevent future crises.
How about the persistent challenges to reproductive freedoms following the Dobbs decision, which the justices appointed by Trump enabled? This issue will be discussed three days after the anniversary of that ruling. Additionally, there’s the escalating national debt, which saw contributions from both Biden and Trump. Lastly, there’s the ongoing turmoil in our immigration system, an unresolved issue during Trump’s tenure as well, despite his attempts to rewrite history about border control at that time.
The candidates may give fiery responses instead of providing clarity, with Trump being particularly averse to policy matters. However, if he returns to power, his team has prepared an extensive plan called Project 2025, filled with drastic policies for significant changes. These include dismantling civil service institutions, rolling back environmental regulations, implementing mass deportations with potential economic consequences, and defunding or shutting down various government departments. It’s essential that Trump is held accountable for these potentially harmful proposals – either by the moderators during debates or by Biden himself.
If everyone who makes a promise to pay attention follows through, the American populace as a whole has met their civic responsibility requirement. We can only cross our fingers and expect the same from the candidates, hoping for more than just blunders and groans. Sadly, Trump’s past record of rhetoric does not indicate that he will rise to this challenge. Regrettably, such an outcome would also be significant in its own right. Keep an eye out for updates.
@jackiekcalmes
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2024-07-18 20:02