A lot has changed in the 1,344 days since President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump last debated. Biden secured the presidency, while Trump refused to accept his loss, leading to his supporters attacking the U.S. Capitol. The COVID-19 pandemic emerged and subsided, inflation surged to 9.1% before easing to just over 3%, Russia invaded Ukraine, and Israel invaded Gaza. Additionally, Biden turned 81 and Trump turned 78, with Trump facing four criminal indictments and one conviction.
Despite these monumental changes, the 2024 presidential campaign seems to have picked up where it left off. Biden is once again the Democratic nominee, and Trump the Republican nominee. Both candidates are still neck-and-neck in the polls, making Thursday night’s debate at CNN’s studios in Atlanta a crucial event. In an era dominated by partisan media and social media silos, a live, televised debate remains a rare opportunity to sway voters.
Here are three takeaways from this year’s first presidential face-off:
1. Biden Struggled to Show His Age Doesn’t Matter
Presidential debates are less about policy and more about media moments. For Biden, the challenge was to demonstrate that, despite his age, he remains fit to serve another term. At 81, Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history, seeking to extend his tenure until he is 86.
However, Biden faced a tough night. Reportedly battling a cold, he appeared uneasy and hoarse, frequently tripping over his words. Early in the debate, he lost his train of thought entirely, saying, “We’ve been able to make sure, all those things we need to do — child care, elder care, making sure that we continue to strengthen our health care system, making sure that we’re able to make every single solitary person eligible for what I’ve been able to do with the COVID … excuse me, dealing with everything we have to do with…”
Biden regained some composure as the debate progressed, delivering pointed attacks like, “You’re the sucker and you’re the loser,” to Trump. However, memorable moments, not point-scoring, often decide debates. Unflattering clips of Biden are likely to circulate, sparking fresh concerns among Democrats about his viability in November.
2. The New Format Made It Hard to Keep Up with Trump’s False Claims
Trump, at 78, appeared more energetic than Biden, but his debate performance was marred by a barrage of untruths. He boasted about the “greatest economy in the history of our country,” “the best environmental numbers ever,” and “the largest tax cut in history,” among other dubious claims.
Biden attempted to counter these falsehoods in real time, calling Trump’s statements “malarkey” and “lies.” However, the debate’s new format — with muted microphones during each candidate’s turn to speak — hindered Biden’s ability to pivot from fact-checking to presenting his own agenda. The moderators, maintaining a neutral stance, refrained from correcting Trump, allowing him to dominate on style over substance.
3. A Revealing Exchange on Abortion
One substantial exchange on abortion highlighted the candidates’ stark differences. Trump, aware of Republican setbacks in states with stringent abortion bans, stressed he wouldn’t block the abortion pill mifepristone and supported exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. He framed the overturning of Roe v. Wade as a move that unified the country.
Biden, seeking to galvanize Democratic voters, dismissed Trump’s position, equating it to “sending civil rights back to the states.” He pledged to restore Roe v. Wade if reelected and criticized Trump for potentially signing a nationwide abortion ban proposed by MAGA Republicans.
This exchange underscored Biden’s advantage on certain issues despite his overall debate performance. The early debate timing might provide voters with ample opportunity to focus on Biden’s strengths while potentially forgetting his weaker moments.
As the 2024 race intensifies, the effectiveness of this debate remains to be seen. Will it sway undecided voters or reinforce existing opinions? Only time will tell.
Credit: Yahoo News
