2024 Presidental Debate: Red, White, and You - What's America Thinking?

On June 27, 2024 Preisident Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump Lock Horns on CNN's political battlefield. The 2024 presidential debate ignites as two titans of American politics vie for your vote in a prime-time showdown that could reshape the nation's future

What is the Reason for Livestreaming Presidential Debates?

The presidential debate stands as a cornerstone of American democracy, offering voters a crucial glimpse into the minds and mettle of those vying for the nation's highest office. This tradition, televised since the 1960s, has evolved into a pivotal moment in every election cycle.

The first televised debate in 1960 between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon revealed the power of this new medium. Radio listeners favored Nixon, but television viewers saw a different story: Kennedy appeared calm and confident, while Nixon seemed nervous and sweaty. This stark contrast highlighted how visual presentation could significantly influence public perception.

But why does a candidate's televised performance matter so much? The answer lies in the complex world of international relations. The President of the United States isn't just a domestic leader; they're America's representative on the global stage. When negotiating with allies or facing off against rivals like China or Russia, the president must project strength, confidence, and authority.

These debates offer voters a unique opportunity to assess how candidates might perform under the intense pressures of the Oval Office. Can they remain composed when challenged? Do they demonstrate the poise necessary to command respect in high-stakes international negotiations?

Moreover, these televised encounters allow candidates to articulate their vision for America's future while showcasing their ability to think on their feet. They must address complex policy issues, defend their positions, and connect with voters – all under the unforgiving glare of studio lights and camera lenses.

The Democates Point of Veiw on the 2024 presidental debate

The 2024 presidential election has presented unique challenges for the Democratic party. With a lack of competitive candidates, Joe Biden emerged as the de facto nominee, while potential challengers like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. failed to gain significant traction. From the outset, the Democratic party's primary objective was clear: defeat Donald Trump at all costs.

However, Biden's performance at the recent presidential debate has shocked not only the American people but also Democratic supporters, leading many to question if the President is fit to lead the country. Biden stumbled over his words, often failed to finish his sentences and overall thoughts, leaving many viewers confused and concerned.

Prominent Democrat David Axelrod, a former senior advisor to President Obama, went so far as to state, "There is no way President Biden can win this race." This sentiment has been echoed by eight House Democrats who have called for Biden to step down, including Representative Adam Smith from Washington, who argued that a presidential candidate "must be able to clearly, articulately, and strongly make his or her case to the American people. It is clear that President Biden is no longer able to meet this burden."

Biden himself has acknowledged his poor performance. In an interview with ABC News, he admitted, "Look... I've had a bad night." He also accused former president Trump of being a "congenital liar," claiming that Trump had lied "27, 28 times in that debate." This claim was somewhat supported by CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale, who reported that Trump had made at least 30 false claims during the debate.

The debate has sparked criticism of the moderators as well. Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times expressed his disappointment on social media, stating, "I wish the CNN moderators did more fact-checking, letting the audience know when things are said that are flatly false."

Despite the criticism, Biden still has strong supporters within the party. Senator Alex Padilla from California stated that supporting Biden is "a no-brainer" for him. Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania has been one of Biden's biggest defenders, criticizing other Democrats for taking "cheap shots from the cheap seats." Fetterman highlighted Biden's strong performance during a day-long visit to Pennsylvania, arguing that the President was "perfect" after every stop.

The White House has also come to Biden's defense. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insists that a single bad night should not overshadow years of hard work and proactive policy.

A particularly controversial moment from the debate has been making headlines: a clip showing Biden struggling to coherently discuss healthcare policy, ending with the confusing statement that he "beat Medicare." This moment has left many constituents bewildered, unsure of what point Biden was trying to make.

The debate and its aftermath have exposed a serious split within the Democratic party.

The 2024 presidential election has presented unique challenges for the Democratic party. With a dearth of competitive candidates, Joe Biden emerged as the de facto nominee, while potential challengers like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. failed to gain significant traction. From the outset, the Democratic party's primary objective was clear: defeat Donald Trump at all costs.

However, Biden's performance at the recent presidential debate has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, raising concerns among both the general public and Democratic supporters about his fitness to lead. Throughout the debate, Biden struggled with articulation, often leaving sentences unfinished and thoughts incomplete. This poor showing has intensified discussions about the President's cognitive abilities and his capacity to serve another term.

Prominent Democratic figure David Axelrod, a former senior advisor to President Obama, bluntly stated, "There is no way President Biden can win this race," as reported by The Daily Beast. This sentiment has been echoed by eight House Democrats who have called for Biden to step down. Among them, Representative Adam Smith from Washington argued that a presidential candidate "must be able to clearly, articulately, and strongly make his or her case to the American people. It is clear that President Biden is no longer able to meet this burden."

In a post-debate interview with ABC News, Biden acknowledged his subpar performance, admitting, "Look... I've had a bad night." He also accused former president Trump of being a "congenital liar," claiming that Trump had made "27, 28 lies in that debate." This assertion was somewhat corroborated by CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale, who reported that Trump had made at least 30 false claims during the debate.

The debate has also sparked criticism of the moderators. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof took to X (formerly Twitter), stating, "I wish the CNN moderators did more fact-checking, letting the audience know when things are said that are flatly false. Not sure how it helps for a platform to transmit falsehoods disguised as facts."

A particularly controversial moment from the debate has been making headlines: a clip showing Biden struggling to coherently discuss healthcare policy. In this segment, Biden stumbled through his words, saying, "Making sure that we continue to strengthen our health-care system, making sure that we're able to make every single, solitary person eligible for what I've been able to do with the…uh, covid…excuse me, dealing with everyone we had to do with… look, if we finally beat Medicare..." This moment, especially the phrase "beat Medicare," has left many constituents bewildered and has been trending on social media platforms.

Despite these concerns, Biden still has strong supporters within the party. Senator Alex Padilla from California stated that supporting Biden is "a no-brainer" for him. Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania has been one of Biden's staunchest defenders, criticizing other Democrats for taking "cheap shots from the cheap seats." In a recent CNN interview, Fetterman highlighted Biden's strong performance during a day-long visit to Pennsylvania, asserting, "I actually spent the whole day with the President when he visited Pennsylvania, after every stop he was perfect."

The White House has also rallied to Biden's defense. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insists that a single bad night should not overshadow years of hard work and proactive policy.

The debate and its aftermath have exposed a serious rift within the Democratic party. CBS News reported that eight House representatives, including Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Raul Grijalva of Arizona, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, Mike Quigley of Illinois, Angie Craig of Minnesota, Adam Smith of Washington, Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, and Pat Ryan of New York, have all called for President Biden to step down.

As the election approaches, the Democratic party faces a critical dilemma. They must balance concerns about Biden's performance and fitness for office against the strategic goal of defeating Trump and maintaining legislative power. The importance of this balance is underscored by the historical trend that in presidential election years, the winning party often gains seats in Congress due to the president's "coattails" - voters supporting the same party down the ballot.

The coming months will likely see continued debate within the party about the best path forward in this high-stakes election, as Democrats grapple with the dual challenges of presenting a strong presidential candidate and maintaining their congressional majority.

The Republican Point of Veiw Over the 2024 Preidental Debate

The 2024 presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump took place in Atlanta, Georgia, a city generally considered favorable to Biden. CNN, often perceived as leaning Democratic, hosted the event. This setup, with its built-in biases, led many to predict a difficult night for Trump. However, the debate's outcome defied expectations and sent shockwaves through the political landscape.

Republican supporters and some independent observers felt Trump performed strongly. He displayed a commanding stage presence, speaking clearly and directly to the audience. A viral moment occurred when Trump responded to one of Biden's statements, saying, "I don't even know what he said at the end of the sentence there, I don't even think he knows what he said there." This comment showcased Trump's ability to think on his feet and land a devastating blow. Viewers who found Biden's responses unclear and confusing resonated with Trump's sharp rejoinder, seeing it as a stark demonstration of the candidates' differing levels of clarity and command of the issues.

Biden faced criticism for his debate performance. His responses often seemed disjointed and lacking in specific policy details, fueling concerns about his fitness for the presidency. A YouTube video by Nick Shirley, which garnered over 1.2 million views, featured public reactions to Biden's struggles. Even some Biden supporters expressed concern, with comments like "I don't even know what Joe Biden is even thinking" acknowledging his difficulties. These reactions underscored the debate's potential to erode support among undecided voters and soft supporters, who may begin to question Biden's ability to lead effectively.

The debate's impact was reflected in post-event polling. NBC News reported a 2-point shift in Trump's favor among both registered and likely voters. While this may seem small, it represents a significant change in approval ratings and overall public opinion, particularly given the debate's location and the hosting network. The shift suggests Trump's debate performance struck a chord with a wide audience, transcending partisan lines. This could indicate that voters are reevaluating the candidates based on their debate performances, rather than simply voting along party affiliation.

Broader Impact: Pew Research Center highlighted that recent polling shows Trump with a 3% lead in favorability over Biden. This translates to approximately 10 million more Americans viewing Trump favorably compared to Biden. Such a dramatic shift in the favorability gap could have profound implications for voter enthusiasm and turnout in the coming weeks. It may also influence the calculus of undecided voters, who could begin to coalesce around the candidate perceived as stronger.

The 2024 presidential debate marked a pivotal moment in the campaign. Despite the potentially unfavorable location and media outlet for Trump, many viewers across political lines perceived his performance as strong. The event's aftermath has seen a shift in public opinion, potentially altering the trajectory of the race. However, it's important to note that debates are just one factor in a complex electoral process, and opinions can change as the campaign progresses. Both candidates must build on their perceived strengths while addressing the weaknesses laid bare in this debate. The coming weeks will reveal if this debate was an anomaly, or a harbinger of a fundamentally changed race.

Link

For those looking to watch the preisdental debate, here is a link to the live stream posted by CNN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v-8wJkmwBY

For those interested in knowning what the genral public thought after the debate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyXHQHqJpEs