THE BUZZ This week’s question: What were your impressions of the first presidential debate?
Editor’s note: The Buzz is a weekly question on an issue affecting the residents of Hampton Roads.
The debate reminded me of family road trips with my brother and me in the back seat of that old Plymouth annoying each other, whining, and complaining, “He started it!” to the point where Dad would glare into the rear-view mirror and warn, “Don’t make me come back there!”
Don Vtipil, Norfolk
Arrogance, rudeness, narcissism, toxicity. This was not a debate, just a tirade of bullying accusations. Embarrassing for the country. Where was any positivity? Where were the directions for the future? Where does our hope lie? Both parties should be ashamed. America is so much better than what was portrayed.
Karen Peifer, James City County
While it was a total disaster, the real culprit was the moderator who could not only control the president but could not even manage the questions. Jumping topics and confusing both candidates. He is the real debate disgrace and needs to be replaced.
Thomas Somma, Virginia Beach
I was embarrassed by Trump’s interrupting and inability to answer the question with any clarity and factual definition. I was equally embarrassed with Biden’s inability to define his vision for America’s future. Such a poor showing when this country is in desperate need of sound/truthful executive leadership.
Ross Kearney, Hampton
What a terrible impression that the president left with the leaders of the free world. And what a terrible example of bad behavior that was shown our children. We have a president who respects no one but his narcissistic self. We need goodness, honesty and integrity back in the White House.
Cathy Poyner, Norfolk
My high school debate teacher, Mrs. Reavis, would have disqualified Trump and sent him to the principal’s office.
C.F. Scott, Newport News
After my ears stopped ringing, I realized that I did glean something from the first debate. Joe Biden’s description of the “K” shaped economic recovery was enlightening. His proposals for the environment are ones I can live with. I didn’t learn anything about the president that I didn’t already know.
Dale Timmer, Newport News
My impressions? Dismay. Concern. Annoyance. Disdain. Nothing good, that’s for sure. Neither of the candidates could find the wherewithal to project a coherent — and accurate — message. It seems quite clear that our method of picking candidates is failing us. Badly.
Paul Emens, Virginia Beach
I’ve been watching presidential debates since Lyndon Johnson vs Barry Goldwater. I’ve never seen anything like this. Hope I never do again. Kind of sorry the rest of the world saw that.
Mike Reynolds, Virginia Beach
President Trump was strong and in command of the facts and the issues. Joe Biden appeared physically and mentally weak, vague and evasive, and often seemed befuddled. Biden’s disrespectful name calling and telling the president to “shut up” should dispel any notion of his being the “nice guy.”
Michael Cooper, Suffolk
Trump’s performance clearly showed his lack of emotional intelligence but hold that thought. First consider that this was not a debate in the classic sense, but a verbal donnybrook, no pun intended. Like a brook, there was plenty of bubble and burble and only a trickle of clear, cool cognition.
John Mannarino, Virginia Beach
Biden’s adherence to the tenets of the Green New Deal explaining how it would literally pay for itself by adding millions of new jobs, then in the same breath forcibly denying he would support Bernie Sanders’ socialist plan. Biden’s unwillingness to certify his positions on several fronts is, at best, disingenuous.