In the first 2024 Presidential debate, a lot of focus was surrounding two basic questions: 1. Will Joe Biden be able to keep up due to his apparent cognitive decline and 2. Will Trump steamroll through the debate, a mistake he made in 2020? To answer those plainly, Biden was still standing at the end of the debate so I think Democrats are counting that as a win. The muted mic aspect of the debate kept Trump from being a bully.
But with that said, neither of the guys were particularly compelling. And did they really argue about who’s a better golfer? 🥴 With a few exceptions, all they did for 90 minutes was bash each other about their respective 4-year terms as Prez. Where was the hope? Where was the inspiration? I would’ve loved to hear about what their specific plans are for the next 4 years. I thought Trump had an amazing opportunity (and Biden, too) to connect with Americans when he was asked about helping people with addiction problems. Talk to those specific viewers who struggle with addiction about how you’re there to support them, help them, love them, and get them through this tough battle they’re facing. It would be OK to point out logistical strategies for helping with addictions (preventing drugs from getting into the U.S., etc), but that is information for the mind. It was a chance for either candidate to warm people’s hearts. “We’re there for you. We want you to overcome and be stronger once we defeat these addictions together.” But neither Trump nor Biden showed any compassion.
Another curiosity of mine was how the debate would have went if Trump wasn’t the Republican nominee. Just for kicks, I imagined if it were Vivek Ramaswamy up there on stage with Biden. Can you imagine the verbal bloodbath (pardon my use of that taboo word) that would’ve ensued? I think Biden would have literally pooped in his pants twice with the shellacking from Vivek. On the flip side, I really couldn’t think of any Democrat that could’ve done the same to Trump, imagining if Biden were swapped out with anyone I’d heard of (Newsome, Michelle Obama, Whitmer, etc.).
Early reactions to the debate are indicating that Republicans and Democrats saw the same things: A weakened man (apparently with a cold no one knew about until after the debate?) who is just a shell of who he used to be even 3 or 4 years ago. Donald Trump was more orange than usual (TV makeup, I guess?). Age limits might be a thing we need to seriously discuss.
-Out of the Wilderness
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Out of the Wilderness 