US President Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump faced off in a debate on Friday (at 6:30 am IST) giving voters a rare chance to see the two oldest presidential candidates side by side. Here are some key takeaways from this historic debate:
Who seemed more confident?
Viewers were most curious about how these two older candidates would perform on stage, especially since both have been questioned about their ability to handle the job. At the start, Trump, 78, seemed strong and lively compared to Biden, 81, who spoke with a hoarse voice and gave answers that sometimes wandered off track. The White House later said Biden had a cold, but this was only after his shaky start.
As the debate went on, Biden got more confident defending his record and criticizing Trump. But the shaky start could be used by Republicans in ads suggesting Biden is too old for the job. Biden seemed more in control of the facts as the debate continued, even though Trump kept saying things that weren’t true. But this might not be enough to ease concerns among Democrats about Biden’s ability to speak clearly.
Before the debate, Biden faced pressure to prove he wasn’t losing his edge because of his age. Now, his campaign will need to figure out how to bounce back, especially with some Democrats calling for a new nominee before the Nov. 5 election.
Personal Attacks
Both Biden and Trump showed strong dislike for each other and launched personal attacks on each other during the debate. Biden accused Trump of being a criminal and mentioned his alleged affair with Stormy Daniels. They didn’t even shake hands or acknowledge each other at the start. Biden referred to Trump disrespectfully as “this guy.” At one point, Biden questioned Trump’s honesty about his height and weight, while Trump bragged about his health and golf achievements. Biden even challenged Trump to a golf game under certain conditions, but Trump dismissed it, calling for more mature behavior.
Battle over economy
Both candidates talked about the economy, a big issue for voters. Biden, as the current president, faced criticism about high prices for food and gas. He blamed Trump, saying he inherited a bad economy and was working to lower inflation. Trump disagreed, saying Biden’s policies were making inflation worse. Polls show more voters trust Trump on the economy right now. Biden’s goal was to show he’s improving the economy after the pandemic.
Biden losing train of thought
Biden had difficulty staying on track when discussing the national debt. He became confused, initially mixing up “billionaires” and “trillionaires” before correcting himself. As he discussed taxing the wealthy, he faced challenges in completing his sentences, often pausing awkwardly. His remarks about using tax reform to bolster healthcare lacked clarity and coherence. Trump seized on Biden’s unclear statements, sarcastically commenting on “beating Medicare,” which appeared to highlight Biden’s confusion during the debate.
Attempt to persuade Black Voters
In Atlanta, Georgia, a city with many Black residents, both candidates aimed their messages at this crucial group. Biden acknowledged Black voters’ concerns about inflation and promised tax credits for first-time home buyers and forgiveness of student loans to ease their financial burdens. Trump criticized Biden, claiming he’s lost support among African-Americans due to economic hardships under his administration.
(With Reuters Inputs)