By Matt Polce, Contributing Writer
Going into the presidential debate on Sept. 29, I was hopeful. Hopeful that the two candidates might carry themselves with dignity and respect. Hopeful that Trump would leave behind the tactics he used against Hillary Clinton and shut his mouth when Biden speaks. Hopeful that Biden would articulate himself in a way he has yet to do. Hopeful that the two candidates would leave personal attacks out of the debate and focus on politics.
I was hopeful because I wanted change. I wanted people from other countries to look at America and think “wow, what an intellectual country”. I wanted the front runners from each party to come together and hold in a debate in a manner that suits our morals. I shouldn’t have been hopeful, because this debate was an atrocity.
At certain points I found myself laughing. If you criticize me for finding humor out of it, I don’t care. It was hilarious, for all the wrong reasons. The ignorance from both candidates was off the chain. Trump wouldn’t let Biden speak. Biden fed right into these tactics by calling Trump a “clown” and a “liar.”
I cannot necessarily blame Biden for using these terms, but I cannot condone it either. No matter what you say, it is not presidential. Trump was far more “unpresidential” and his attacks on Biden’s son, Hunter, along with his interruptions prove that. But just because Trump acts like that, does not mean it is okay for Biden to do the same.
Under all the chaos and madness this debate entailed, a few good points were made by both candidates. Trump clearly caught Biden by surprise when he asked him, “Name one law enforcement group that backs you.” Biden failed to respond, making him look incompetent. While Trump got the better of Biden on the topic of law enforcement, Biden got the upper end on the topic of coronavirus.
The coronavirus is without a doubt the biggest hindrance to Trumps’ presidency. Trump told Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward that the coronavirus was “deadly stuff” in the early reigns of nationwide spread. He knew this and still failed to say it. He was fearful that it would cause a nationwide frenzy and destroy his economy. Biden called Trump out for this along with other reasons why Trump handled the pandemic in such a terrible manner. Biden certainly won this portion of the debate.
Trump’s failure to denounce right-wing radicals, along with Biden’s failure to denounce left-wing radicals did not sit well with many Americans. For good reasoning. Racial tension in this country is at an all-time high, so what is stopping the two from coming together and denouncing all forms of violence within our country? Trump has had four years to denounce right-wing extremists and he has not. Biden did say that he is not in favor of looting and burning down buildings, which is quite nice to hear. But Biden’s past statements regarding these situations left me a bit confused. In all, Biden did a much better job denouncing the violence our country is enduring then Trump did.
The vice-presidential debate occured on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 9 p.m. Both candidates brought back the same energy and calmness we witnessed during the Obama-Romney debates. Kamala Harris hoped to win over Americans during her time on stage, while Pence hoped to keep the votes he and Trump reigned in during the last election. The debate was much more civilized than the presidential debate.
polcema20@bonaventure.edu
