Summary

Joe Biden won the second presidential debate against Donald Trump by attracting more viewers and presenting a composed and rational demeanor, contrary to Trump's more chaotic and confrontational style.

Abstract

In a surprising turn of events, Vice-President Joe Biden's solo town hall-style event on ABC garnered more viewers than President Donald Trump's competing event on NBC. The second debate's format change due to Trump's Covid-45 diagnosis led to Trump's withdrawal and Biden's uncontested appearance, which showcased Biden's calm and reasoned approach to his potential presidency. Trump's event, on the other hand, was characterized by his combative interaction with the host and lack of a clear strategy for his second term. The ratings revealed Biden's event drew 15.1 million viewers, while Trump's attracted 13.5 million across three networks. This outcome is significant as it contrasts with Trump's usual focus on television ratings and his expectation to outperform Biden. The article suggests that voters may be looking for a stable and professional leader rather than the unpredictable and entertaining persona of Trump, especially as the country faces crises. With Trump behind in the polls and early voting already underway, the article speculates that his numbers may further decline, with potential October surprises and rising Covid-45 cases contributing to his challenges.

Opinions

The author implies that Joe Biden's calm and composed demeanor during the town hall was more appealing to viewers seeking a stable leader in a crisis.
Donald Trump's debate style is described as unpredictable, obnoxious, aggressive, and evasive, which may be entertaining but is not conducive to a compelling presentation for a presidential candidate.
Trump's unsporting tactics of arranging a competing event were roundly condemned.
The article suggests that Trump's defeat in the ratings is a significant blow to him, given his reputation for obsessing over television ratings.
The author expresses that Trump's failure to attract more viewers than Biden indicates a preference among the public for a more serious and professional leader, as opposed to an "unstable clown."
The author anticipates further decline in Trump's support, with more Republicans potentially distancing themselves from his campaign.
There is an expectation of more revelations (October surprises) that could negatively impact Trump's campaign, while Biden is considered unlikely to have damaging secrets exposed.
The author speculates that Trump may face legal troubles post-election, hinting at the possibility of him fleeing the country.

Politics

Biden Beats Trump!

I didn’t see that one coming! Nor did Trump.

After the second Biden-Trump debate was changed in format — because Don Trump had caught Covid-45 and would be infectious if a face-to-face debate were held — the President pulled out, leaving Vice-President Joe Biden to attend the town hall-style event hosted by network ABC alone.

Rather than leave his rival to draw an audience unchallenged, Don Trump arranged a competing town hall event with rival network NBC for exactly the same timeslot.

As expected, the two events were radically different in tone. Joe Biden was calm, answering the questions put to him, laying out his plans for a Biden presidency. He was every inch the assured, composed, rational leader America needs in a crisis.

In comparison, Don Trump made for much more entertaining viewing as he sparred with and talked over the host, evaded and hesitated when answering key questions, and revealed that his strategy for a second term is to have no strategy.

No surprises there!

This was exactly as one would expect. Don Trump’s style of television performance is to be unpredictable, obnoxious, aggressive, and evasive. He doesn’t like to be pinned down, and in a refreshing volte-face for a clown, hates to be laughed at. His debate performances have been excruciating, as he attempts to bully everybody including the moderator, and dismisses facts and reasoned argument in favour of bluster and abuse.

But entertaining, in a sort of “watch the wheels come off the train wreck” kind of way.

In comparison, Joe Biden being calm and reasonable isn’t my idea of a compelling night’s viewing.

Everybody expected Don Trump to draw far more viewers than Joe Biden, and both Trump and NBC were roundly condemned for their unsporting tactics.

But it didn’t play that way

The ratings — as revealed by The New York Times — showed Biden’s ABC event drawing 15.1 million viewers, as opposed to the Trump three network circus on NBC, MSNBC, and CNBC pulling in 13.5 million viewers.

While the aggregate was far less than the 73.1 million who watched the first horrific debate on 29 September, the big surprise of the evening was Trump’s defeat.

Don Trump, who is famous for scrutinising his television ratings in minute detail, is undoubtedly livid over his failure. He was assured beforehand that he would trounce Biden. Apparently, he is now berating the “fake ratings”.

So why?

Here’s my guess.

Don Trump is a known quantity. Entertaining, but if you are selecting a national leader, you don’t want an unstable clown to be the face of the nation while negotiating with professionals.

Joe Biden isn’t so well known in the role. His plans and policies are of interest to Americans casting a serious eye over the choices. The fact that he could attract and hold the attention of more viewers over a longer period of nothing much beyond sitting down and talking says a huge amount.

Don Trump is behind in the polls, people are already voting, he badly needs a win, and he was hoping for something huge. Defeat and humiliation were not what he wanted.

Of course, as per the inauguration crowd shambles of the first days of his term, Don Trump is blaming everyone but himself, trying to cast a solid defeat as a win.

He’s preaching to the choir, but I guess by now he’s desperate for the choir to show up and vote for him on the day.

What can we expect over the next three weeks?

Trump’s numbers are likely to sink even further, he can expect more Republicans to peel away from what looks like a sinking ship, he’s going to see Covid-45 cases and deaths rise — partly due to the appalling example he has been setting in encouraging mass rallies with almost zero plague precautions — and I suspect that there are a couple of “October Surprises” that have been carefully saved up for these last weeks.

I doubt that Joe Biden, after a lifetime of public scrutiny in his political career, not to mention his less than glittering lifestyle, has any skeletons in his closet.

Don Trump, well, there’s most likely a whole boneyard ready to tumble out.

Touch wood, another month will see Don Trump reduced to a lame duck preparing to flee the country ahead of the FBI.

Britni