Biden and Trump Forced to Pivot after a Debacle of a Debate 

You could hear the groans ripple through the room as a racially diverse group of college Democrats watched President Joe Biden stumble, mumble, and then end his response to the moderator’s question in a disjointed cacophony that forced the audience to sit up in alarm. 

However, the president would manage to score a few points as he sought to gain the endorsement of tens of thousands of voters who remain undecided in the presidential sweepstakes – the future of America riding in the balance. 

Biden took on former President Donald Trump on Thursday, June 27, for the first of two scheduled presidential debates (the second is slated for September 10). Their format was significantly different from their last encounter on October 22, 2020. 

This time, CNN anchors and correspondents Dana Bash and Jake Tapper served as co-moderators, and the debate was held in the audience. Perhaps most notably, to ensure that each candidate could only speak within their allotted time or in the absence of an attempt to talk over their opponent, the microphones were silenced so that only one candidate could speak at a time. Further, neither man was allowed to use notes or a teleprompter to keep them on track or remind them of critical talking points. 

Biden fared the worst in this regard, appearing several times to lose his train of thought or missing out on opportunities to take Trump to task after the former president made one false statement after another. Trump presented false statements more than 36 times, according to CNN staffers who later determined that dozens of “facts” presented by the former president were anything but accurate. However, CNN has received a lot of criticism for failing to fact-check his statement during the debate. 

Anxious to witness the first debate, voters throughout the Greater Washington Area gathered on June 27 for what has become a D.C. tradition: presidential debate watch parties, including one at the HQ DC House in Northwest, sponsored by the Kairos Democracy Project and the People For The American Way. 

Those with whom this reporter spoke agreed that after the debate, they were left with far too few questions answered and far too many concerns about either candidate’s ability to lead America effectively. 

Voters take aim 

Trenton, New Jersey native Wayne Griffith, 67, a minister and District tour guide now living in Southeast Washington, D.C., said he was disappointed that Biden allowed Trump to get the best of him. 

“Biden had inferior optics, and he failed on numerous occasions to go for the jugular,” Griffith said. “Trump’s optics were far better, but he continued to lie. Biden tried to check him, but he didn’t come across as strong enough.

“Biden tried to stay above the fray, but that didn’t work for him. He may have wanted to remain a gentleman, but he’s in the fight of his life and a battle for the future of America. As for Donald Trump – well, he’s a dirty fighter and is nothing more than a New York City gangster,” Griffith said. 

Howard University journalism student Juan Benn, 22, said he found it exciting to be in a room filled with like-minded individuals who are “tapped into what’s going on in politics.” 

“I want to see the American people cut through the noise,” he said. “We saw Trump failing to answer questions and Biden just laying out everything he’s done. Neither candidate could connect with voters – at least not younger voters. As for Blacks, instead of recounting a laundry list of things that Trump or Biden have allegedly done to assist our communities, perhaps they should talk about the future. We need someone who can prove they can do the job and who won’t waste our time telling many lies.” 

On June 28, the day after the first debate, both candidates were back on the campaign trail with Biden in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Trump in Chesapeake, Virginia. Trump was joined by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who has more often than not opted to only meet with the former president behind closed doors. 

Meanwhile, Biden, energized by a boisterous pro-Biden crowd, appeared to be a different man—certainly not the lackluster individual who had shown up for the debate the previous evening. 

Griffith said he expects a better performance from the president in the coming months. 

“As we get closer to the election, more Americans will begin to analyze and dissect the comments from both candidates – and they had better do so,” Griffith said. “Personally, I don’t think a lot of Americans actually paid attention to the debate. Look, it’s summertime. People are out having fun and getting ready for the 4^th of July. Just wait until October.”