First Presidential Debate Leaves Viewers With Much to Ponder
The first face-off between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden took place yesterday in Cleveland, Ohio, marking the official start of the final phase of campaigning ahead of the November 3 election. While the candidates laid out their stances on major issues, the debate itself was a chaotic affair that largely departed from normal debate formats and standards of civility.
From the outset, the debate lacked substance as constant interruptions and personal insults overshadowed substantive policy discussion. President Trump took an aggressive approach and did not hold back from attacking his opponent. In contrast, Biden appeared hesitant at times and struggled to complete many of his responses. Moderator Chris Wallace found it challenging to enforce the rules and maintain order.
On issues ranging from the economy and taxes to healthcare, climate change and racial justice, clear differences emerged between the two candidates. However, the constant barrage of crosstalk made it difficult for viewers to follow the discussion. Both candidates blamed the other for the disorderly nature of the debate. While supporters of each candidate expressed their man had won, most observers agreed the debate format failed to achieve its objective of an informative exchange of ideas.
Going forward, there are calls for changes to be made for the remaining debates, with a focus on more effective moderator control and enforcement of rules around interruptions. However, it remains unclear if such tweaks will succeed in facilitating a higher level of policy discussion. As the candidates prepare to face off twice more, much will depend on whether they can elevate the discourse and focus more on addressing the concerns of voters.
