The first debate between President Donald Trump and former VP Joe Biden happened last night. Susie and I watched with our youngest, who is studying remotely this term. To say the debate was more an argument with some themes thrown in would be a gross understatement of what occurred.
After the first 15-20 minutes, Susie asked how long are we going to watch this? I responded to the end. She thought about leaving, but decided to stay. About 45 minutes in, she asked how much more is left? I told her we are halfway. I offered to take Susie to bed, but she was not ready to leave. Meanwhile our youngest was quietly listening.
In the end, our youngest asked what I thought? My response was, “Joe Biden held his own.” I also said the media are going to make a mountain out of President Trump’s response on denouncing white supremacy. The media did the same in regards to Charlottesville and Pittsburgh, while ignoring the President’s released statements:
- Statement by President Trump in response to Charlottesville Rally (August 14, 2017)
- Remarks by President Trump on Tree of Life Synagogue Attack (October 27, 2018)
Both of the above statements unequivocally condemn violence and white supremacists. Sadly Chris Wallace (debate moderator) did not hold Biden to the same standard, especially in terms to Antifa (aka “an idea, not an organization”) and BLM. We’re now going on 4 months of violence in our cities that is instigated/ perpetuated from the left and downplayed/ misrepresented by the media and Democrats. Add schools being kept shut due to COVID-19, and you have a perfect storm for American disunity.
While I feel President Trump’s interruptions and behavior was brutish and unpresidential, I think the behavior of Democrats and the media has been appalling over the last three and a half years. Both candidates lied through their teeth, one just did it with decorum and a smile.
Hate and forgiveness are not mutually exclusive. It is ironic the first debate was scheduled the day after Yom Kippur. I wish people could forgive and move on, but I understand for some the wounds from the Russian collusion witch hunt, Kavanaugh SCOTUS hearings and impeachment proceedings are too fresh and too deep.
President Trump remains his own worst enemy, leaving Biden looking more presidential simply by not responding to every insult with equal vitriol.
