So… Who won? 2020 Presidential Debate Edition Op-Ed
The Presidential debates concluded last night over a fairly enjoyable debate. Now, who won the hearts of the voters?
The Debate Itself
The popular opinion of the debate was that it was a more enjoyable discussion compared to the very first debate at the beginning of October.
The two 2020–2024 term Presidential candidates had their second and last showdown at Tennessee’s Belmont University in what was the last opportunity for both candidates to swing the pendulum in their favor.
The key takeaways of the debate
COVID-19 or “The Trump Virus” or “The China Virus”
The opening topic of the debate is the COVID19 pandemic. No surprise there.
Up until now, the United States has lost over 200 000 American lives to the ‘rona virus. According to John’s Hopkins University & Medical Center, the USA has the fifth-highest fatality rate with 68.17 deaths per 100 000 people. Biden had a very strong claim that it was due to the mismanagement of the president that caused these deaths. “Anyone who’s responsible for that many deaths should not remain as president.” says the former VP.
According to Trump, his administration is closing in on a vaccine. He claimed to be “rounding the turn, we’re rounding the corner” referring to his administration allegedly closing in on a vaccine.
Hellthcare. No Typo
Both Trump and Biden claim to be big advocators of healthcare. This topic is particularly important for both candidates to represent this topic well. Healthcare has been a major issue for voters way before the “Beer Virus” goes on a world tour.
Trump claims that the Obama-Dynasty’s Affordable care Act proved to be a liability to us citizens. It is a factual reality that the ACA proposed by Obama-Biden has stripped coverage from tens of millions of Americans. Biden also lacks a plan for individuals with preexisting conditions.
Biden replies Trump’s claims with a plan to reinforce Obama-Care with a “public option”.
This is considered by voters to be one step closer to socialized medicine. A whole different topic worth talking about.
Corruption and Laptops and Taxes
Vice-President Joe Biden attacked Trump by clapping him with Donald Trump’s “750$ in taxes” scandal. Biden also mentions Trump’s former accounts and deals he has had in Chinese territory.
The sitting President replies to his contester’s claim with surprising grace and hits the ball back in Joe’s court when he mentions the deals abroad that involve Joe’s clan in surprisingly serious accusations of business deals benefiting Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s son being a part of a sketchy Ukrainian company’s decision board.
R*cism in America
2020 has been a key year in the ethnic fight against racial justice. After Spine-chilling videos where we see African-American and visible minority individuals being threatened and killed on camera, voters want answers.
Neither Trump nor Biden managed to properly answer the curve-ball questions in regard to this difficult topic.
Trump makes a bold claim saying that he is “the least racist person in the room” when he is asked to answer questions in regards to lived experience for Black and Minority groups.
Even though all the attention was on how badly Trump is dealing with this topic, Biden was also walking on thin ice.
The President makes the audience aware of the Criminal Justice ct of 1994 put in motion by Joe Biden. This act abolished during Trump’s term was incredibly rigid against minor drug offenses. This act was also the root cause that contributed to the mass incarceration of men from minority groups.
After Trump’s accusations, Biden apologized for the law and claims and asserts future change if he is elected president.
The takeaway from the debate
Personally, I found the debate very pleasing to witness. Both candidates were -somewhat- respectful to one another and there was not a very evident bias from the moderator.
Also, it was a surprise to see Trump actually letting people other than himself go through two minutes of uninterrupted conversation.
Frankly, I am deeply fascinated by this Presidential run because I truly feel that it is one that will change the course of the History of Humanity.
What do you think?