By Nicholette Marbley
The first US Presidential debate was this past Tuesday. The debate lasted 90 minutes and was held at the Health Education Campus at the Case Western Reserve/Cleveland Clinic Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion in front of a small audience as 73 million intrigued spectators watched from home. The moderator Chris Wallace reiterated the debate rules to President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. There were no handshakes to begin the debate via COVID protocol and that may have been a good thing. This debate was anything but normal. The 90-minute segment reminded me of something off “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” or “Real Housewives”. No one followed the rules, manners were thrown out the window, and the screeching of 3 men trying to overpower each other made me appreciate my feminine voice and demeanor. Joe Biden, coined as “Sleepy Joe” was actually lively and alert. That is how you take criticism and recreate yourself. Joe Biden’s strategy was to match President Donald Trump’s boisterous demeanor and the President’s strategy was to, well, be himself. He interrupted and bombarded Biden constantly trying to throw him off. The 2 politicians squared off on multiple topics and gave very different viewpoints. Here are the top 3 topics of Tuesday’s debate.
On COVID-19
Trump: Blames China for downplaying the virus and states “It is what it is… We are weeks away from a vaccine, but politics is slowing down the process.” He claims that the virus would be a lot worse with Biden in office because he did not want to close the borders immediately.
Biden: Reiterated that more than 200,000 Americans have died from the Coronavirus and claims that the President won’t listen to scientists and has no plan, and that is why the economy is falling.
On Taxes
Trump: Claims that Biden does not know the first thing about saving the economy because his economic plan would push business out of the US. He also claims Biden will shut down business again, while he will keep them open while COVID crisis continues. The President also denies only paying $750 in Federal taxes dating back to 2002. He claims he will release his taxes once his audit is complete.
Biden: Defends his “Build, Back, Better” plan that includes $300 billion in R&D for advanced tech industries and $400 in government Spending and US owned goods and services, claiming that the economy would see an immediate steady boost. Biden released his tax returns which states he and his wife Jill paid $300,000 in Federal taxes on a 945,000 taxable income. He refuted the President’s claim about shutting down business, stating, “You can’t fix the economy; until you fix the virus.”
On the Supreme Court Nominee
Trump: Feels he has every right to appoint a Supreme Court nominee. He claims that Amy Coney Barrett would dismantle Obama Care. He also implied that he did not mind waiting till after the election to push through his nomination.
Biden: States the government should wait until after the election to fill the Supreme Court seat and focus containing and eliminating the virus.
Fact Checks
Trump: He lied about paying more than $750 in taxes and he also lied about Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, receiving 3.5 million dollars as a gift from a Russian leader. Hunter Biden was working for an overseas company for a number of years.
Biden: Biden states, “We left a booming economy and he caused the recession.”
The economy was not booming the final year he served as Vice President. He also states, “We have a higher deficit with China now than we ever did before.” The deficit we have with China has sharply fallen over the last 4 years.
Who Won?
Trump: faux pas: He refused to condemn white supremacy and condoned it by telling a hate group to stand back and stand by. He also made 0 attempts to try to win undecided voters. He also made dangerous claims stating, “This is going to be fraud like you never seen. We may not know for many months because the ballots are going to be all over.” He also made false claims of a Trump ballot being found in a trash can. Strengths: The President has grown up since last election. He told less lies and there was 0 name calling.
Biden: faux pas: Too much name calling. He used phrases like, “There’s nothing smart about that!” “Will you shut up man?” and “You are the worst President America has ever had.” It was very unprofessional. Strengths: He wants to rejoin the Paris Agreement, he encouraged Americans to vote early, he was trying to sway undecided voters, and he had a clear plan and very clear answers.
Winner=Biden
I can do without the name calling, but his answers were very clear, His viewpoints make sense for the current status of our country, and he doesn’t support hate groups. I’m anxious to see what outlandish things we’ll hear next debate.
