Twelve Writers Rate Biden’s Performance at the First Presidential Debate
The recent presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump has sparked a wave of opinions from various writers and columnists. Times Opinion asked 12 of their contributors to watch the debate, evaluate the performance of the candidates, and share their insights on who emerged as the winner and loser of the night.
Josh Barro expressed his disappointment in Biden’s performance, highlighting his struggles to prove his capability for the presidency, especially in the first 20 minutes of the debate. On the other hand, Trump appeared more composed than usual, leading Barro to conclude that Trump had a clear victory.
Jamelle Bouie painted a picture of a raspy Biden and a deranged Trump, with both candidates failing to impress. He concluded that there was no clear winner in this chaotic exchange of words.
David French acknowledged Trump’s victory but emphasized that it was not due to Trump’s performance. Despite Trump’s dishonesty, he managed to avoid appearing unhinged, which appealed to his base. However, French pointed out that Biden lost the debate due to his inability to convincingly prove his capability for the presidency.
Michelle Goldberg expressed her concern over Trump’s performance, labeling it as a stream of preposterous lies. However, she criticized Biden for failing to effectively counter these lies, portraying him as ancient and lost. Goldberg predicted that calls for Biden to drop out of the race would increase following this lackluster performance.
Jean Guerrero highlighted Trump’s reliance on anti-immigrant rhetoric to appeal to certain communities. Despite the deceptive nature of his statements, Biden failed to present a strong strategy to counter Trump’s claims. Guerrero pointed out that Trump’s scapegoating tactics could resonate with many struggling individuals.
Overall, the consensus among the writers and columnists is that while Trump may have emerged as the winner of the debate, it was more due to Biden’s shortcomings than Trump’s strengths. The debate highlighted Biden’s struggles to appear presidential and effectively challenge Trump’s claims, leaving many questioning his ability to lead the country.
As the election draws nearer, it will be crucial for both candidates to address these shortcomings and present a more compelling case to the American voters. The stakes are high, and the performances in these debates could significantly impact the outcome of the election.
