Ali: Democrats have tough choices to make after Biden debate disaster

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As a dedicated supporter of President Joe Biden, I was deeply disappointed and concerned by his lackluster performance during Thursday night’s debate with former President Donald Trump. The stakes were high, and Biden missed an opportunity to effectively challenge Trump’s distortions on various issues, including immigration, the economy, and even his own health.

After his subpar showing during Thursday’s debate, some people have wondered if President Biden used any drugs to improve his performance. More crucially, is it possible for his supporters to obtain such drugs now to help them forget his less-than-stellar debate moments?

The television event with the highest viewership other than the Super Bowl had negative implications for Biden. However, this occurrence sparked significant worry amongst Democrats, raising questions about their future direction.

During the recent event, Biden passed up multiple opportunities to correct former President Trump’s inaccuracies regarding immigration, the economy, the opioid crisis, and even his own health. The 81-year-old candidate came across as restrained and rigid, frequently with an open mouth (he was reportedly suffering from a cold). A significant portion of his speaking time was devoted to delving into intricate policy details, which failed to transform into broader discussion points. His answers lacked clarity, and at times, his voice was barely audible.

His subpar showing failed to quell criticisms from both the right and left, who question his fitness for the position due to his advanced age.

Additionally, Biden’s weak performance sparked concerns among some followers, leading them to question if it was necessary to find a new nominee who could effectively counter Trump’s deceit and intimidation tactics.

The collective unease expressed on social media and by commentators underscored the significant concern underlying the Atlanta debate.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment watching Biden’s performance last night. But let me tell you, America, we have a far greater cause for concern. With Trump in power, our democracy is under threat, and we desperately need a strong voice to stand up against the danger he poses. It’s not just about Biden; it’s about all of us and the future of our country. We can’t afford to sit back and watch as our democratic values are put at risk. We must unite and raise our voices in defense of our democracy, no matter how challenging the situation may seem.

Trump took center stage at the debate with self-assuredness and flair, avoiding specific policy discussions in favor of broad statements that resonated with his supporters. He frequently touched on the topic of dangerous immigrants, earning cheers from his base. In response to queries regarding the economy, abortion, and war, Trump boasted about his accomplishments. With minimal challenge from his rival and no fact-checking from CNN moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper, Trump’s falsehoods prevailed.

During CNN’s debate broadcast, their guidelines stipulated that anchors wouldn’t verify facts as candidates spoke, and each speaker’s microphone would be silenced during the other candidate’s turn. These regulations benefited Trump.

In the past, when I watched the former president speak, I was used to hearing him interrupt others and talk over them. But during this particular event, I noticed a significant change. He seemed more composed and polite than I had ever seen before. The reason for this transformation was that his interruptions were inaudible to viewers. Additionally, he was given the freedom to make false statements without being challenged. He proudly boasted about having the “most impressive environmental records” and the “strongest economy the country has ever experienced.” Regarding abortion, he claimed that Democrats supported it up until and beyond birth. Lastly, he asserted that Speaker Pelosi declined his proposal to send National Guard troops to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, to put an end to the insurrection he had helped incite.

During the debate, Biden seemed to lack effective responses or was entirely absent when racist remarks from Trump came up. Trump tried to belittle Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict by calling him “a Palestinian.” This comment, which held undertones of casual racism against Arabs and specifically Palestinians, went unchecked. Moreover, Trump claimed that illegal immigrants were taking “Black jobs,” but no one questioned what exactly a “Black job” was.

In 2008, during a town hall event, Republican presidential nominee John McCain corrected a woman who expressed distrust towards his opponent, Barack Obama, based on his ethnicity. McCain responded, “Ma’am, he is a good family man and a citizen, just like me. Our differences lie in our fundamental beliefs, which is the essence of political campaigns.” While this response was not perfect, it reflected more tolerance and understanding compared to today’s Republican Party.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say it this way: During an interview, Colin Powell clarified the false accusations against President Obama regarding his faith. He emphasized that Obama is indeed a Christian but went on to ask a thought-provoking question, “What if he wasn’t?” Powell reminded us that being Muslim is not a cause for prejudice or discrimination in America. It’s important to remember that diversity and inclusion are fundamental aspects of our country.

During the debate on Thursday, I didn’t expect Trump to delve into policies since he seemingly lacks a clear stance or even two of them. Instead, he focused on grievances and his desire for retribution. With nobody present to challenge him, he persisted in following this approach.

CNN deviated from the long-standing practice where the Commission on Presidential Debates oversaw and organized debate proceedings. Instead, CNN took charge of the debate, which will reportedly attract a record-breaking viewership for the cable news network, having been held at an audience-free studio in Atlanta.

That is a scary prospect.

On Thursdays debate, the Democrats face challenging choices: Should they stand by Biden and potentially forfeit the election, or field a candidate with vigor and eloquence capable of effectively opposing Trump and his MAGA movement?

If Thursday’s debate is any indication, the stakes are too high to leave things as they are.

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2024-07-18 19:50