One doesn’t have to be an expert in American politics to notice that something is seriously wrong there.
The current American president came out looking sad after the first public debate held June 27 at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, with no public present. (Some assumed the lack of a live audience only worsened the performances). While his opponent was pronounced the winner in this round, both presidential contenders gave me Spanish shame (second-hand embarrassment) way more times than I’d expect following a political event of this level.
Going into the candidates’ first face-off, there were no doubts that former U.S. president Donald Trump, 78, and President Joe Biden, 81, are in their prime shape for the job. But those 90 minutes, which felt too surreal at times, made people all over the world ask – are those indeed the best options Americans have for their leader?
‘WTF’: Panicked Dems start looking for alternatives to Biden (Politico).
‘A reality show’: World reacts to Trump-Biden debate (BBC).
‘That was painful’: Van Jones reacts to Biden's debate performance (CNN).
‘Was the debate the beginning of the end of Joe Biden’s presidency?’ (The New Yorker).
Those are just a few of many headlines reflecting on the debate.
As one American gentleman put it, the candidates looked like two dinosaurs, who lost points way too often, requiring moderators to try bringing them back (which didn’t help much), and pointed fingers at each other, with no ability to persuasively back their claims.
The debate underscored the growing chasm between rhetoric and reality in American politics. Trump's attacks were often personal and incendiary (even though he managed to avoid talking about Biden’s age except for one time), aiming to paint Biden as weak and ineffective. His claims, frequently unsubstantiated, were designed to evoke an emotional response from his supporters and those undecided.
Biden, on the other hand, sought to present himself as a steady hand in turbulent times. His responses, often lacking energy and clarity, aimed to appeal to stability. Sometimes he blamed Trump for the country’s failures and other times he tried to underline his achievements. However, in his reasoning, he regularly drifted away from the topic.
Biden’s performance only strengthened the fears of many voters who consider the Democrat too old to be the country's president. That was confirmed by undecided voters watching the debates as part of focus groups, many of whom left the event seriously concerned about his condition.
Trump, who is often criticized for radicalism, seemed like he tried to stick to more or less moderate positions and position himself as a centrist.
One of the weirdest moments was a word battle over which one of these not-so-young men was in better shape, which ended with Trump’s suggestion, “Let’s not act like children,” followed by Biden’s response, “You are a child.”
While Biden put on a muted performance, Trump traditionally seemed aggressive and also not shy on false and misleading claims.
CNN's analysis counted over thirty false statements from Trump—against at least nine for Biden. However, much more often the candidates' statements were simply empty. And that, I felt, was the biggest problem – how can the candidates afford to be so empty-worded at this stage of the campaign? Or are they simply not capable anymore?
However, I feel the American situation goes along with the political tendencies observed in other countries. I believe there is a major crisis on the global political stage. With a fast-spinning life, people want fast solutions, but I don’t think anyone has found a way to quickly turn the world around and make it better in no time. As a result, far-right parties claim more seats, populists win more votes, and the green agenda fades away after decades of growth under the pressure of other urgent matters.
It seems that Democrats are not planning on changing their candidate following the debate (at least yet), and it seems that, come November, many Americans might find themselves in zugzwang—a situation found in chess and other turn-based games wherein a player has to make a move, but whatever move they make will only worsen their position.
As we celebrated Canada’s birthday this week, I felt that no matter when the election comes here, so far, we are in better shape than our neighbors. However, their political crisis will affect Canada in many ways whether we want it or not.
