God save America!

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

To say that it was painful to watch the first US presidential debate is perhaps a gross underestimation! Seeing President Biden shuffling his way to the podium with a vacant stare would surely have made his supporters’ hearts sink. As quipped by a young relative of ours who was watching the programme with us, to most of us it appeared to be ‘elder abuse’, similar comments being made after the debate by some US commentators, too. Being in the same age group, as the two presidential contenders, obviously, I cannot afford to be ageist but it is well known that what matters is the biological age, not numerical, but Biden showed all of his 82 years, or more in fact! His pathetic performance gives reasons for grave concern. Though Trump is only three years younger, it looked as if there was a 30 years age difference; yet another comment confirmed by many US political commentators. Trump appeared more presidential, was clear in what he said and was more convincing even when he was stretching the truth! Still, one is left aghast why the mighty US cannot find anyone more suitable than these two for the presidency!

Forget about the next term, due to start in six months, but, as things stand, many would have wondered watching the erratic performance of Biden whether he is fit now to hold the position of the most powerful person on earth? Some go to the extent of referring to the American President as the leader of the free world but it is a matter of opinion, many hastening to disagree. Even if he is not, he is the most powerful person with the biggest war arsenal at his disposal. Raging wars in two theatres, almost verging on a Third World War, it is a frightening thought whether Biden would be able to press the ‘Nuclear Button’ without help. Fortunately, there is no button as such ‘Nuclear Button’ being a figurative term referring to the power to use nuclear weapons; a complex process. It should not be forgotten that the Nuclear Button had been pushed not once but twice, with devastating consequences, only by a predecessor of Biden but not by any other leader of a nuclear state.

Since the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon TV debates, the first of which was unexpectedly won by Kennedy, ultimately leading to his victory, Presidential Debates have been a regular feature and usually take place after the candidates have been endorsed at respective party conventions. The debate on 27 June, hosted by CNN, was the first ever to be held before the party conventions and had been scheduled early at the request of the Biden camp. Biden had been preparing for the debate, spending a week in Camp David.

The format dictated no notes, no assistance and strict time limits with microphones switched on, only at appropriate times. In fact, this helped Trump as it prevented what appeared to be aggressive behaviour in 2020 debates.

American commentators may be biased and their judgement may well be clouded by party affiliations. BBC may give a ‘distant view’ and this is what Anthony Zurcher, BBC’s North America correspondent, commented at the end of the debate:

“Before Thursday evening, many Americans had expressed concerns about Joe Biden’s age and fitness for office. To say that this debate did not put those concerns to rest may be one of the greatest understatements of the year. The President came into the debate with a low bar to clear, and he stumbled. He was flat. He was rambling. He was unclear.

About midway through the debate, the Biden campaign said that the President was battling a cold – an attempt to explain his raspy voice. That may be so, but it also sounded like an excuse. For 90 minutes, more often than not, he was on the ropes. Particularly early in the evening, some of his answers were nonsensical. After losing his train of thought he ended one answer by saying, “We finally beat Medicare” – an odd reference to the government-run healthcare programme for the elderly.”

For the most part, Biden was incoherent and rambling, at times he stopped mid-sentence and appeared to be lost in his thoughts, struggling to complete sentences. On one occasion, on being asked to respond, Trump said “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence, and I don’t think he did, either,”

Those attempting to defend Biden have opined that though he lost on presentation, he won on facts and that Trump lied throughout. However, fact checking by various agencies have established that both were stretching the truth, at times!

The outcome of the debate may not affect the committed voters, but it may well sway the undecided voters, and Trump’s narrow lead may increase. Anyway, as the election of the US President is not on the popular vote but on a complicated collegiate system Biden may still win but did the debate give confidence to the world of a successful second Biden presidency?

Biden appeared infirm, both physically and mentally. Trump stated that he had two evaluations of his mental capacity and his question whether Biden would take the tests were left unanswered. At the end of the debate, Jill Biden had to come and escort him further demonstrating his inabilities. At a meeting following the debate, it was hilarious Jill Biden telling her husband “You did well Jo, you answered all the questions”, reminiscing of a Montessori class!

We think our politicians are bad and it is gratifying to note that there are much worse ones in so-called advanced countries, too! Biden, when he contested four years ago, stated that he was standing to prevent Trump getting a second term and that he would reverse the damage done by Trump to hand over to a younger person. Like our politicians, having tasted power, he does not want to give up though the best thing he can do for his country is to withdraw.

Though there are rumblings in his party, there is no mechanism to replace Biden, the only avenue open being him opting to withdraw. That does not seem to be happening, at least for the time being. If he does not and wins the race in November, the only choice left is to say: “God save America!”