On Thursday night, President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden engaged in what can only be described as a rare occurrence in 2020: an actual debate.
The two were poised, professional, and (mostly) civilized. None of these words could be used to describe their first debate fiasco, during which either candidate hardly got a word in.
The two candidates covered top issues concerning the American public, including the coronavirus pandemic, immigration, climate change, and racism.
Here are four takeaways from the final 2020 presidential debate.
It was a Real Debate!
Although a mute button was used at the start to ensure that the two candidates did not repeat the chaos of their last debate, it was hardly used throughout the evening.
Both Trump and Biden held their tongues (for the most part) when the other was speaking, allowing viewers to actually hear where they stand on important issues.
In this final showdown before the 2020 election, which is less than two weeks out, the candidates had one last night to show the public where they stand on divisive issues.
Moderator Kristen Welker kept a tight grip on control during the event, guiding the candidates through each question and reeling them in during moments of argument.
They had Considerable Disagreements
The two candidates engaged in harsh clashes on immigration, race, climate change, and the coronavirus.
Especially in relation to the pandemic, the two candidates different on where we are and where we are going as a country.
Promising a vaccine quickly, Trump cited the decrease in mortality rates as evidence that the virus is on its way out. Yet, he offered little in terms of a plan moving forward.
“We have a vaccine that’s coming, it’s ready. It’s going to be announced within weeks, and it’s going to be delivered,” Trump said.
In contrast, Biden appealed emotionally to the public, speaking passionately to those who have lost family members or suffered personally from the virus.
“220,000 Americans dead … We’re in a situation where there are thousands of deaths a day … He says that we’re learning to live with it. People are learning to die with it. You folks home will have an empty chair at the kitchen table this morning,” said Biden.
Biden encouraged aid to small businesses and nationwide mask mandates, while Trump spoke to the stifling economy and encouraged the reopening of the country.
“Both candidates came prepared not only in tone and tenor, but also substantively,” said Republican strategist Colin Reed, according to the New York Times . “For Biden, a push is a win right now. Trump is the one who needed the knockout blow.”
The two engaged in substantial debate regarding issues that are at the forefront of American minds, allowing the public to hear first hand their stance on how to handle the country as a whole.
Trump Argued All Talk and No Action
President Trump pressed Mr. Biden on his apparent lack of action during his nearly half a century of work in American politics.
A point frequently referenced by the President and other Republicans, Trump asserted over and over that Biden is “all talk and no action.”
“See, it’s all talk no action with these politicians,” he said “You got nothing done.”
Biden wavered in his response, and distanced himself from the actions of the Obama administration on immigration policy – a step he has rarely taken in past debates.
Biden argued that if elected, his abilities as president of the United States will be very different from his time as VP, implying a more impactful level of leadership to come.
It Likely Did Not Change the Outcome of the Race
More than 60 million individuals have already cast their ballot for the 2020 presidential election. It is unclear as to whether or not this debate will change the outcome of the race.
The number of undecided voters continues to dwindle every day as early voting has surged in many states.
This final debate received less attention from the public, even on social media, and it seems that widespread conversation was mostly negative.