Prez Debate Lacked Civility, Truth-Telling
Last night’s presidential debate was not a presidential debate at all. Instead it was cacophonous sound and fury signifying nothing. It was a 90-minute forum full of dispiriting pontifications where two candidates purporting a desire to lead the free world rolled in the mire before the media klieg lights, reducing themselves to acerbic chortling and noxious name calling. It was supposed to be a measured discourse between worthy opponents — an extended dignified discussion over national policies and statecraft. It was anything but that.
The millions of Americans who tuned in last night hoping to finalize their decision-making before November’s election were shocked at the raucous nature of the contest between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. They were appalled as both candidates waded into a brooding truculence — provoking and baiting each other with pitched insults as they rambled toward the brink of near rage.
Minutes into the contest, Biden called Trump a “clown.” That sentiment may well be true, but its was an impolitic comment on the presidential stage and played precisely into Trump’s intentions at starting a sludge fight. Biden was successfully seduced into what became castigation contest ad nauseum. But Biden also managed, at times, to recover and deliver pointed retorts that gave viewers hope he could be a president…
