Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Debate gets bad reviews
Area residents cite exchange between Trump, Biden as ‘ disgraceful’
COATESVILLE » Local reaction to the first presidential debate of 2020 highlighted the divisiveness of the candor between the two candidates, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.
“I was completely terrified,” said Ray Jackson of Coatesville. “Likemost of us I see flaws across both lines but what happened last night seemed to be the deepening division of our nation.”
Jackson added, “Something that concerns every living human being, such as the environment, was completely bowled over for egotistical reasons. When asked to denounce white supremacy and hate groups Trump’s answer was ‘ stand down and stand by’
— that is unacceptable and disgusting from the leader of the ‘ Free World.’”
Jackson, who graduated from Avon Grove High School in 1999, said, “If you can make an excuse for that, then you need to look in the mirror and realize what you are.”
“Who can we trust more? The radical left or the crooked businessman? I take Trump. At least I feel like I can trust what he says,” said Brandon Birkhead, a Philadelphia regional hip hop artist who performs under the stage name Birksmith in West Chester and elsewhere.
Sti l l, not everyone watched the debate.
“I don’t like either candidate, so I don’t care what either one has to say,” said Amber Blackburn of Landenberg.
Blackburn said her ideal candidate is “someone who actually cares about this country” and wants to make things better, adding that this equates to a personwhohas compassion for all individuals who live in this America. In contrast, she said, the current candidates only seem concerned with money — not people.
“The format of the debate was confusing and led to a less informative event,” said Gordon Eck, chair of the Chester County RepublicanParty. “Withbothcandidates talking past each other and taking barbs, such as Mr. Biden calling President Trump a ‘ clown,’ it was difficult to hear the substance of their positions. When they did express them, it was disappointing that Mr. Biden would not condemn Antifa, lied about his commitment to the economy- destroying Green New Deal which is touted on his own website, and perhaps most notably, in a time of civil unrest, was unable to name a single law enforcement agency that was supporting his campaign.”
Said Eck, “President Trump rightly noted that he has accomplished more in his 47 months than Mr. Biden in his 47 years in Washington. Among the president’s accomplishments are economic revival, including manufacturing, addressing the COVID- 19 crisis by bringing the public andprivate sectors together in combating this disease, the appointments of outstanding judges, and long overdue help to minority communities through criminal justice reform and opportunity zones.”
“I found it to be an embarrassment, but primarily an embarrassment for our sitting president,” said Dick Bingham, whois chair of the Chester County Democrats. “His sophomoric bulliyng tactics were unbelievable.”
Bingham added, “It reaffirmedmy determination to elect Joe Biden on Nov. 3.”
Bingham, of Kennett Square, said what inspires him most about Biden is that “we need to remove Donald Trump as president of the United States. He is a disaster. He’s handled this pandemic issue with incredible nonchalance and lack of leadership. He’s destroyed our reputation around the world. He has done nothing to help the average American. I just can’t see how we can possibly handle another four years of Donald Trump.”
Bingham said he wants Biden to become the next president based on his experience, a proven track record in dealing with economic downturns and his ability to represent everyone in America — not just a chosen few.
“I just think he will be a breath of fresh air for the United States,” Bingham said.
“Regardless of your affiliated party, I thought the debate last night was disgraceful and embarrassing ,” said Margie Bowling of West Chester. “This type of bantering boxing match is not what the American people want to watch, and the format didn’t help former Vice President Joe Biden or President Donald Trump.”
Bowling continued, “The typical job of a president doesn’t involve daily debates anyway — unless it is with the press— so this skill is not necessarily needed in the position. The people of the United States want to see facts, visuals, visions and plans. So instead, make a presentation of your presidential vision per topic and share it with the people. If this can’t be done, present like Kayleigh McEnany, the president’s press secretary. She has a binder divided by topics. When the press asks her a question, she draws upon the facts in her binder to answer the question.”
Bowling said she would never base her decision to vote for president on Nov. 3 in light of the debate she and her fellow Americans witnessed Tuesday night.
“The American people are tired of fake news, name- calling, and putdowns,” Bowling said. “This behavior only divides our country. We tell our children to stop the bantering and name- calling, so we certainly should expect our leaders to be better examples to the American people and to the world. We just want to hear the truth. We want a leader who will draw upon the wisdom of others and make wise decisions based upon facts.”
“It was interesting but really, as a lot of politicians do today, they’d rather bash each other as opposed to share what their views are on important issues,” said John Whitely of Chadds Ford regarding the first 2020 presidential debate held Tuesday night. “It was not informative. But it was, certainly, entertaining.”
Whitely saidhe is leaning towards voting for Trump. “For many reasons, I’m probably going to vote for Trump, as opposed to Joe Biden. Both politicians really exaggerated things, meaning they lie, but I just think Trump is the better overall comment than Biden.”
He said before the pandemic Trump had the economy running very well with unemployment historically low.
Whitely, who works as a project manager, also said that Trump is the “law and order” candidate.
“I’m proud to be an American. I was born in Philadelphia and I’d like to see our differences patched up so we can move forward, and I know we can do this,” Whitely said. “It may take a lot of time and work, but it can be done.”
“Neither candidate looked presidential,” said Jim Donohue of East Goshen Township. “They each tried to talk over eachother. It was more about strategy than the program.”
Donohue said the most important issues to him include addressing the COVID19 pandemic, the economy and foreign policy. “I don’t think any of them were really addressed,” he said, adding that he is prolife.
And regarding foreign policy, combating China is key.
“He has stood up to China,” Donohue said of Trump. “We’re not going to be pushovers.”
Donohue said he is a Trump supporter in terms that he likes what he has done for the country, but didn’t feel it was presidential for Trump and Biden to talk over the moderator, Chris Wallace, during the live debate on Sept. 29.
Donohue is presently looking for his next opportunity in the health care field and is an expert director of client relationships and contracts.
“I was very surprised,” said entrepreneur Eileen Kevany, of Newtown Square, regarding the presidential debate, who noted that she only watched the last 30 minutes of the broadcast.
Kevany said her most important issues are the economy, health insurance and Medicare, adding that she remains undecided.
“Neither candidate looked presidential,” Kevany added. “Mr. Biden is older, that concerns me, as a candidate for the presidency.”
“I thought it was an absolute mess,” said Lauren Hess, of Avondale, regarding the debate on Tuesday night. “The issues were not really addressed and covered because of the continual interruptions. And I feel like both sides’ opinions were not heard between all the arguing.”
She said small business, including the ramifications of new tax laws, and women’s issues and the Supreme Court Justice nominee were her top issues in the 2020 presidential election.
Hess said Biden is her candidate of choice. “He’s local to our community,” she said. “I know his character. I know his views on the issues.”
She said, “I respect some relationships that President Trump hasmade, but I overall feel that Biden cares more about the issues I care about. He’s more presidential, he handles himself, he can articulate himselfwell, he has experience.”
“Biden lied about ( his son) Hunter, denying that he received anymoney ( from foreign contributors),” said Liz Gabel of East Norriton. She called the move on Biden’s part: “despicable.”
Gabel said she was disappointed in Trump’s interruptions of Biden but felt he was strong in his positions— and intent— for the country.
“Biden showed his weakness,” Gabel said. “He was not coming across as a strong presidential candidate. He had memorized his answers to toomany of the questions. I did not feel that he was spontaneous.”
Gabel said the most important issues to her include ensuringAmericahas a strong judicial system, overcoming the pandemic and addressing recent violence across the nation.
Gabel said she is going to vote for Trump, and added she is also a strong supper of Kathy Barnette, who is running for Pennsylvania’s 4th Congressional District seat this November.
“We support her totally,” Gabel said of Barnette, who is an African- American conservative on the Republican ticket set to face off against Democrat incumbentMadeleine Dean on Nov. 3.
“This is a monumental election,” Gabel said.