By Bryce Kelly, Staff Writer
The presidential debates between Joe Biden and Donald Trump have been hyped for months. This election is one of the most consequential in history. Donald Trump is one of the most controversial presidents. He is in danger of becoming the first incumbent to lose the presidential election since George H.W. Bush in 1992. However, these debates are not consequential and the next debate should not happen.
One of the reasons the debates were so hyped was because of the contrast in candidates. Biden, 77, has been questioned for his mental acuity ever since he announced his run for president. Biden is well known for his stuttering and gaffs. These stutters and gaffs showed up on the democratic debate stage and on the campaign trail. Biden was criticized for his slip up when he said poor kids are just as smart as white kids. Biden has often lost focus when speaking and has had to stop and regroup.
However, Biden is known as one of the nice guys in Washington. His campaign is centered around the decency he would bring to the White House as well as his experience. Biden has been in American politics for over 40 years and has been a senator and Barack Obama’s vice president.
Trump’s political history is a different story. He had no political experience before becoming president. Trump is known for his fiery Twitter presence and his willingness to cross lines other candidates would not cross on the debate stage. As president, his approval ratings have mostly been in the 40s and the economy cratered under the chaos of the coronavirus.
So, the stage was set two weeks ago for a debate between these two candidates. Political pundits wondered how fierce Trump would be and whether Biden could look mentally sharp. The verdict: The debate was an abomination. The debate looked more like a petty dispute by third graders on the playground rather than two political candidates trying to show their leadership. Trump attacked Biden’s son, Hunter, and his drug addiction. Biden came at Trump and told him to shut up. Both talked over each other, making it very hard to understand what each candidate was trying to comprehend.
Moderator Chris Wallace tried his best to let each candidate speak but Wallace ended up fighting with Trump instead of asking questions. When Wallace was able to ask questions, both Trump and Biden steered the topics away to what they wanted to focus on, which caused more issues for Wallace and viewers at home.
Another reason this debate should not happen is because of Trump’s health. Trump was diagnosed with the coronavirus on Oct. 2. Many members of Trump’s circle have been diagnosed like White House Communications Director, Hope Hicks, and White House Press Secretary, Kayleigh McEnany.
Trump, 74, is overweight and is more at risk for severe symptoms. Biden is also at risk for severe symptoms because of his age. Because of these facts and Trump’s diagnosis, it would be smart not to have the second debate. Trump would be able to recover without questions about the debate. This would be smart for the health of both candidates and their families as well as those working around the two candidates.
The debate would not be a huge loss because the debates do not shift public opinion much. Most voters have their minds made up or do not pay attention to the debate. Recent polls have shown little difference compared to polls before the first debate.
Debates can be good. Presidential debates can give the public a good sense of who the candidates are and what they stand for. However, not this year. With the coronavirus and the awful first debate, the next debate should not happen.
kellybw19@bonaventure.edu
