Conflict In Cleveland: 7 Takeaways From The First Presidential Debate

The first of three presidential debates was pretty much what most people anticipated — chaos. President Trump and former vice-president Joe Biden traded insults and barbs, with moderator Chris Wallace unable to control the two pugilistic candidates from speaking over one another. The result was a night that revealed little, yet pummeled the nation’s spirits. But with all the sound and fury…

Did the presidential debate actually signify anything?

In many ways, both candidates met the expectations set out for them. Democrat Joe Biden seemed well prepared, and vastly better at holding his own than the low expectations Trump set for his challenger. And Trump, with his aggressive and impetuous style, was presumptuous but unprepared for the discussion of serious issues, trying instead to forcefully shift the conversation to personal attacks. Both candidates seemed more than willing to insult their opponents, shedding civility almost from the moment the debate started. But more than just stylistic differences, and a general sense of national embarrassment at the debacle, there were seven key takeaways that voters could draw from the 90-minute debate.

President Trump is the Interrupter-in-Chief. Trump spend most of the debate talking over not only his Democratic rival, but also moderator Chris Wallace. During the course of the debate, Trump didn’t hesitate to interrupt Biden, often castigating his opponent without any sense of decorum; looking like a bully who wanted to control the debate. In the end, Trump’s style look raucous and relentless, but not particularly convincing… or presidential.

Biden weathered the storm, but not without some damage. The former vice-president held his own against Trump’s onslaught, and was able to articulate his agenda… until he was interrupted. Despite a few missteps (for example, telling the President to “shut up” and a trying to articulate comments on taxes) Biden’s style of speaking directly to the camera was effective and convincing. In the end, Biden did what he needed to do — he looked presidential, even amidst Trump’s onslaught.

Healthcare, healthcare, healthcare. The opening segment of the debate was possibly one of Biden’s most effective moments, with the former vice-president making a strong case for Obamacare while critiquing Trump’s attacks against it. It was one of the clearest policy debates of the evening, and possibly one of the most important to millions of Americans who depend on Obamacare for their healthcare. Biden looked knowledgeable and convincing, while Trump, challenged by Wallace, floundered without being able to reference his own plan to reform healthcare in America. It might have been the most memorable discussion of the evening—for those who could paid attention to the actual discussion.

Fear won. By refusing to condemn white supremacists and militias, and by refusing to say whether he would ask his supporters to refrain from violence following the election, President Trump increased the heat on an already inflammatory race. The President’s comments were notable not for what he said, but for what he avoiding saying. By refusing to condemn violence, and by refraining from agreeing to a peaceful election, President Trump marked what is perhaps some of the darkest moments in American presidential debate history.

The environment lost. Coming towards the tail end of the debate, the discussion about climate change was lost in the cacophony of a debate gone awry. Serious policy discussions about climate change and how America should respond, challenges dwarfing even the pandemic, were lost among the personal attacks and the overall fatigue of the viewers. In other words, one of the most critical issues of the future of America and the world got lost in the partisan shuffle. Again.

Trump has ammo, but Biden has empathy. President Trump tried to wound Biden with attacks against the former vice-president’s son, Hunter Biden. But despite Trump’s assault, Biden was able to address to the issue, and the nation, by speaking to the camera about his son overcoming drug addiction. It was one of the most powerful moments of the debate, and a reminder of the challenges and the tragedy that the Biden family has overcome, and the challenges many American families dealing with drug and alcohol face every day.

Something needs to change. The debate was embarrassing – an embarrassment to the candidates, an embarrassment to the viewers, and an embarrassment to the nation. Despite the fact that the campaigns have agreed to two more debates, if this is what America has to look forward to, something needs to change. Perhaps there should be a mic cut off, perhaps there should be a more aggressive moderator than Wallace, or perhaps hers just shouldn’t be any more debates. Because in the end, this wasn’t a debate at all… it was a street brawl. And it wasn’t becoming of what purports to be finest democracy on the planet.

Despite the uncomfortable uncertainty of the first debate, one thing is clear however, it was only the opening, not the finale, of a volatile five weeks of political battle and brinksmanship. While both candidates walked away from their showdown in Cleveland with some of the soundbites they were looking for and some bruises they hoped to avoid, there were no knockout punches.

What that means is the stakes are going to be even higher if and when the two meet again  on October 15^th in Miami. Will President Trump be able to change the narrative of the election and appear more presidential? Will Joe Biden be able to maintain his lead and avoid taking more damage? It’s unclear. One thing is certain however, we’ll know more …

once and for all on November 3^rd.