Trump fights dirty... but he’s vulnerable to voters’ right cross
The President turns first debate into an ugly brawl, but a vote for Biden can end his reign at the top
BILLED as the statesman versus the showman, the first televised presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was as eagerly anticipated as any prizefight. But what transpired was, as one political pundit described it, “a hot mess inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck”.
Put more bluntly by another, it was a “s*** show”. As the controversy raged over who won the televised head-to-head on Tuesday night, it was clear the American people were the real losers.
In a 90-minute debate, the rest of the world watched on as America, the great superpower, became a global embarrassment. During shameful scenes, Trump refused at one point to denounce white supremacy, telling a far-right organisation to “stand back and stand by”. Throughout the night, the President chose to personally attack Biden and his family, even mentioning the former Vice President’s son’s drug-taking.
The only thing he failed to bring to the debating floor was a substantial policy agenda.
He did not have one. When confronted with questions about his presidential record and achievements, Trump responded with tirades, often switching topics while making shameless accusations. Any reasonable viewer could see he was in way over his head. Biden tried to develop arguments and provide insight into his vision. Nearly always he was interrupted with insults and false accusations.
He pulled no punches either, calling Trump a racist, a clown and ‘the worst President America has ever had’.
Trump became a walking talking Twitter feed – no facts, all abuse, all bluster. It was nothing short of a degradation of the presidency, which Trump has set about doing since he entered the Oval Office. From the start, he spoke over Biden, trying to provoke him.
He interrupted Biden and then interrupted him some more, all the while moaning he, Trump – ever the victim – was being persecuted once again.
He put on a performance so disrespectful, so childish, so false, moderator Chris Wallace was at times as effective as a chocolate fireguard.
Far from being the night’s referee, the veteran newsman spent more time acting as primary school teacher, riot cop and child psychologist combined, as he attempted to keep Trump in check.
No matter how he implored the President to be respectful or rebuked him, he could not control the school bully before him. Wallace’s experience was one Trump’s staff live with daily. When we look back at the revolving door of his team, it’s clear many can’t deal with his petulance for long, as he runs ruthlessly roughshod over everyone and everything.
On Tuesday night, Americans saw it for themselves.
He disregarded the notion that two White House competitors offering competing visions for the country should do so with decency and dignity. Anyone who saw Trump’s TV debates with Hillary Clinton in 2016, had an idea of what to expect, but no one could have predicted just how bad he has become in the past four years.
It was certain he would fight dirty and do anything he could do to dodge questions about his shambolic mishandling of the coronavirus, his attacks on the military or the recent revelations about his massive tax avoidance. But his grotesque denunciations of Biden’s family showed just how far Trump is prepared to go. It was clear that the former Apprentice star senses the American public will tell him he is fired on election day. It is why he chose not to debate but to bully.
It was a disgusting and demeaning performance that robbed America of what should have been the laying out of a blueprint for the next four years.
One that should have been filled with hope and aspirations to deal with a pandemic that has led to challenges not seen since the Great Depression and the Second World War. There is no doubt Trump’s appearance will inspire members of his fanbase. The far-right organisation he told to “stand back and stand by” will take his words as a rallying war cry.
But, given that he is trailing in polls, losing swing states that helped him win in 2016, it seems that his low blows and gut punches are not landing like they used to. After absorbing round after round of punishment, those Americans who are not in Trump’s corner must see last night’s flailing assault for what it was, Trump’s desperate bid to land a devastating haymaker on American democracy. Come November 3, they have the chance to deliver the knockout blow.
All of us should pray that they take it.