Links:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/09/29/presidential-debate-live-updates/
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/30/918764741/is-this-american-style-civilization-world-reacts-to-presidential-debate
On September 29, 2020 the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump took place. The 2020 election and debate have been very controversial since the start. This debate was a way to help undecided voters choose who to vote for in the upcoming election, but it did everything but that. During this debate listeners were unable to even hear or understand policies and changes that would be made if either candidate became president. Instead all that was heard was personal attacks and the two candidates continuing to talk over each other.
During the debate President Trump made a personal attack on Joe Biden bringing up his son Hunter's past drug addiction and also made personal attacks calling Biden unintelligent. On the other side Biden was also seen making personal attacks calling Trump a ¨clown¨ and telling him to shut up. This debate did nothing to help clear up policies or changes needing to be made, but instead continued to divide America.
No matter which side watchers were on it was an embarrassment to the American people. Global news has covered the American Presidential debate in horror. Articles from around the world are showing their shock over lack of maturity. The Guardian in the UK titled their article over the debate ¨A national Humiliation¨. The American government has become the laughing stock and many countries are questioning if America is as great as we say we are.
Should America be embarrassed? Are these two candidates the best America has to offer? Did this debate help undecided voters?
Thank you, Hailie. I have a lot to talk about on this one. First, I agree that the original intent for the presidential debates is to help undecided voters have insight on the candidates’ plan and policies; however, I’m thinking it is more of a tradition than informative this election year. Word on TheStreet is that 94% of voters weren’t going to change their opinion regardless of what happened during the debate. Second, from all the clips I watched of the debate, it was Trump always trying to get his word in or barraging Biden with Ad Hominem attacks. From discussions I have heard, conservatives are defending Trump saying he was debating not only Joe but also the moderator as well; Joe was getting annoyed by Trump interrupting him so much. Lastly, I watched the SNL skit over the debate which the first couple seconds it said that the debate “was pretty fun to watch. As long as you don’t live in America.” One of the comments on this Cold Open skit said that the actual debate was more of an SNL skit than the SNL skit which is quite sad. I don’t think neither Trump nor Biden is the best the U.S. has to offer, but they got money and so they got power to push their agenda. The debate was a mess that I don’t think it helped anyone decide who to vote for.
ReplyDeleteSOURCE:https://www.thestreet.com/mishtalk/politics/in-the-presidential-election-94-say-their-mind-is-made-up
-Aaron B.
I totally agree that it was an embarrassment to the American people. It was like watching two children fight over a toy in a grocery store. I really don't think that it helped any matters on whether or not people were still trying to decide on who to vote for. Personally, I was embarrassed at the representation of this country. At this point I really don't care if these two candidates are the best that America has to offer based on the fact that Trump interrupted Biden multiple times while he was trying to speak. On the other hand, the moderator didn't do much help in the situation by just sitting there and thinking in the back of his mind, I would assume, "Let's just get this over with". But all in all, it was a terrible representation of the country and that shows poor leadership to not only our country, but to other countries as well. It was all just a complete mess.
ReplyDelete-Jameson H.
There is a lot to say about the presidential date. It has been labeled the worst presidential debate in history and has definitely painted a bad picture for the country. The debate included constant interruptions and was extremely unproductive. I feel that undecided voters who watched the debate ended up confused and frustrated instead of enlightened and informed. It was cringe-worthy. It was embarrassing. It was everything you don't want in a debate. I think one of the only things this debate informed us on is what NOT to do when debating.-Kirstyn M
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the debate is embarrassing for our country, but I didn't realize how bad it was globally. Both candidates not only embarrassed themselves, but our country also. If anything, this divided our country even more when we need unity the most. If they can't be civil to each other, how can the run the country? Since the debate, president Trump has had to stay at the Walter Reed hospital for the corona virus, sparking even more controversy. Another thing to take into account is the vice presidents debate just around the corner, but 1/5 of voters say they don't have a opinion on Kamala and Pence. Will this debate be just as bad as the presidents? Or will no one care when there is more important issues? Either way, we are in a difficult position as a nation, with no real leaders.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/us/politics/polls-trump-biden.html
-Brooke H.