The reality of the 2024 presidential contest hit home during the first debate, showcasing the main choices voters face this November.
Joe Biden, apparently battling a cold, stumbled through the debate, failing to deliver his otherwise well-crafted lines effectively. Donald Trump, known for his frequent falsehoods, repeatedly lied and dodged tough questions.
The public reaction was largely one of resignation and disbelief that these two candidates are the leading choices to steer the country through a critical period.
Biden’s Underwhelming Performance Biden, joking earlier about right-wing conspiracy theories suggesting he would take performance-enhancing drugs before the debate, fell short of expectations with a low-energy and muffled performance. Although he had challenged Trump to the debate, this now appears to have been a strategic misstep. Concerns about Biden’s age and fitness for office were not alleviated, and his delivery failed to convey the strength of his policies, like his infrastructure plan. His muffled voice and garbled speech were problematic, and he made several gaffes, including an incoherent remark about Medicare. On key issues such as abortion, Biden's responses were weak and confusing.
Trump’s Endless Falsehoods True to form, Trump tried to sell numerous falsehoods and half-truths. He dodged tough questions, such as those about the January 6 insurrection, and instead attacked Biden on unrelated issues. CNN’s moderators did not fact-check Trump live, allowing him to make unfounded claims, such as Democrats wanting abortions up until and after birth and false statements about Nancy Pelosi and the National Guard on January 6. Trump also made vague boasts about his administration’s environmental record and issued veiled threats of prosecution against Biden.
Starkly Different Visions The debate highlighted the contrasting visions of America represented by the two candidates. Trump painted a picture of a failing nation, repeatedly calling Biden the worst president in history and blaming him for the country’s problems. In contrast, Biden offered an optimistic view, emphasizing America's global admiration, military strength, and resilience.
The Adult Film Actor Incident Trump’s legal issues and convictions did not come up until later in the debate, which was a missed opportunity for Biden to exploit one of Trump’s key vulnerabilities. When the topic was finally addressed, Biden criticized Trump for his alleged affair with adult film actor Stormy Daniels, calling Trump’s morals into question. Trump responded with a denial, claiming, "I didn’t have sex with a porn star," an unprecedented statement for a presidential debate.
Overall, the debate left many voters questioning the choices before them and pondering the future direction of the country.
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