In the aftermath of Thursday night’s Biden-Trump debate, the verdict was swift and harsh, with critics calling the debate “disastrous.”Feeling” and “Devastating“For President Biden. Democratic Party Activists.”Panic” and “scramble“It’s damage minimization. Some are suggesting it may be time for Biden to step aside.”
I would choose a different word to describe this incident: confusion.
Politically speaking, Donald Trump’s weaknesses were clear to all, but on the most important issue and at the most critical moment in this election, Biden seemed unable to follow through.
The biggest issue in this election is the future of our democracy. Trump is on record as saying Explain again How do you want to eliminate that using the Department of Justice? For revenge, Mobilization of US troops He crushes demonstrations, punishes dissent, and ignores the Constitution. Live Commentary Manual On how to organize a dictatorship.
Over the past few months, Overwhelming majority 70% of Americans say they are worried about democracy. January 6th Riotpolitical violence, and the Republican Party’s tolerance of white supremacist factions and Christian nationalists Control the Party.
But when CNN host Jake Tapper asked Biden on Thursday whether he thought Trump and MAGA Republicans were trying to destroy American democracy, Biden lacked his passion. The remarks come days before the 2022 midterm elections..
“My fellow Americans,” the president said at the time, “we are at a defining moment, a turning point, and we must speak out as a nation with a resounding, united voice: There is no place in America for voter intimidation and political violence, whether it’s directed at Democrats or Republicans. It will not be tolerated. … We have our differences, and that is natural. But what is at stake is our democracy.”
The debate was a mess because Trump’s litany of lies went unchallenged, except for Biden’s weak, hurried and disjointed responses, and Tapper and moderator Dana Bash decided to watch the clock rather than challenge either candidate’s questionable answers.
That’s acceptable, since their job is to host the debate, not to participate in it. But CNN would have done its viewers a huge favor by fact-checking the debate immediately. Proven to exaggerate, make false accusations, or outright lieWe must never again have a presidential debate where falsehoods are left for hours or days before being corrected.
The debate was confusing because Biden has downplayed global warming. To mitigate that more than any other president before him.Outside the CNN studios, wildfires, tornadoes and floods have left Americans homeless. Associated Press report“Days of severe weather have caused chaos and destruction across the United States.”
As of June 10, at least 964 tornadoes Three separate incidents of more than 100 tornadoes struck in April and May, devastating towns in Texas, Louisiana, Iowa and elsewhere. 32 murders.
Historic floods as Biden and Trump take the stage Hit the MidwestRecord rains fell in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, and experts predicted the damage would continue into July.
Debate viewers in New Mexico, North Dakota, Colorado and Montana Severe derechos (widespread windstorms)) which produced large hail and winds of up to 70 mph.
During the discussion, A big fire was burning They are occurring in Alaska, Oregon, California, New Mexico, Washington, Arizona, Utah, North Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. As of June 28, there have been approximately 21,000 major wildfires burning across the United States so far this year.
Yet Trump continues to ignore climate change. Ignoring the COVID pandemicWhen Bash asked about it, the former president Avoided answeringHe claimed that under his administration, “environmental numbers were the best they’ve ever been.” Attracted America He withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement and reversed the Obama administration’s climate policies. He repealed over 100 environmental regulations. His achievements include the conservative Supreme Court Further rollback.
Finally, the debate got confusing because Biden’s staff coached him to recite a laundry list of his accomplishments — that’s what websites are for — and two-minute segments would be better spent on big themes and messages, like Trump’s threat to democracy. Trump’s Felony And his Racist portrayals Treating immigrants as terrorists, drug dealers, and criminals.
After the debate, some Democrats questioned whether Biden should step aside and nominate a younger, more dynamic candidate at the convention. MSNBC reporters interviewed California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and asked him for his response. Newsom told Democrats: Work even harder For Biden.
But Newsom’s clear, precise and scathing criticism of Trump’s record instead demonstrated the communications skills Democrats need to force one of the presidential election’s biggest tricksters into retirement.
William S. BeckerHe is a former regional director for the U.S. Department of Energy and the author of several books on climate change and national disaster policy, including “A 100-Day Action Plan to Save the Planet” and “The Streams Rise: People Living with Floods.”
