The presidential debates are amongst the most crucial events of US election. It is mandatory for the two major political parties of U.S., the Democratic and the Republican to participate in this event. The debates mainly target the undecided or neutral voters who do not adhere to any of the parties. These debates are broadcasted live on television, radio and on web, and attract millions of viewers. It has a vast reach among the audience and has a massive impact on the voters. It is a fate deciding event of US election. + +The US presidential debate is organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). It is a non – profit corporation which was established in 1987 under the shared sponsorship of the Democratic and Republican parties to take up the control of debates. CPD subsidizes, arranges and manages the debates and takes up the charge of all the activities associated with the debate. It conducts research and selects the most controversial topics of the time. It has conducted all the presidential debates since 1998. + +The first televised presidential debates were held in 1960 whose participants were Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. No debates were organized in 1964. In 1968 and 1972, Richard Nixon denied to participate in any of the debates. In 1976, the League of Women Voters sponsored the television debates which was held between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. After then it organized debates for 1980 and 1984 election. + +In 1988, the League of Women Voters stopped sponsoring presidential debates after knowing that George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis were engaged in a secret contract with one of the panelists and were aware of the topics and questions that were going to be raised during the debate prior to the event. + +After the withdrawal of the League of Women Voters from sponsorship of debate, US debate is solely sponsored and conducted by the CPD.
TRUMP-BIDEN FIRST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2020 + + + + +The first presidential discussion between the two significant contenders of the 2020 US Presidential Elections - Democratic Party's Joe Biden with Republican competitor and officeholder US President Donald Trump was held on September 29, Tuesday, from 9 PM to 10:30 PM EST. + +The system of the debate moved somewhat in recent years, this time overlooking a coin toss and timed opportunity for counter-argument. Coin toss figures out who gets the opportunity to respond to the first inquiry and who will offer their end comments first. Competitors get two minutes to answer the question. During this 2020 debate, there appeared no enforced method of following the time other than verbal intimation. Earlier the traffic signals were utilized to wrap up their statements. Polarizing political viewpoints among Democratic and Republican coalitions are what will in general influence electors. + + + + +FORMAT + +The commission of the presidential debate laid out the structure of the first debate, having six separate sections, each section to last 15 minutes. The moderator will open each section introducing a topic and asking questions related to it. After that, the candidates will get two minutes to react. Competitors will at that point have a chance to contradict one another. The moderator will allow equal time to both the candidates to facilitate the profound conversation of the subject. + + + + +CHANGES IN THE FORMAT + +The tone and strategies of the first ‘Trump-Biden’ debate were not taken well all over the US and around the globe. On different occasions, mediator Chris Wallace struggled to deal with the two owing to several interruptions. In the hour and a half discussion, the applicants either intruded on Wallace or their opponent multiple times. Donald Trump was the one who interrupted frequently. The hour and a half showdown between the two compelled the Commission on Presidential Debates on Wednesday to introduce changes to the presidential debate format. With two more debates and one between the nominees of Vice President yet to come, watchers, as well as the commission, were clear that they do not want to watch any debate equivalent to that of the previous day. The commission expressed with clarity to change the discussion patterns to ensure more orderly conversation of issues. The changes to be made are not communicated in clear terms yet but the commission is considering controlling microphones of the candidates in the upcoming debates. + + + + +MODERATOR FOR THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE + + + + +Veteran Fox News anchor ‘Christopher Wallace’ was declared as the moderator for the first debate between President Donald Trump and previous Vice President Joe Biden. Chris Wallace additionally directed the last 2016 official discussion between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Chris Wallace adopted a straightforward strategy on October 19, 2016, gathering. He counseled the crowd not to cheer or boo and do continuous truth checking. His methodology earned positive surveys from media insiders and ordinary electors. + + + + +He picked the following topics for the first official debate of 2020; a)Records of President Donald Trump and previous Vice President Joe Biden b)The Supreme Court c)Coronavirus d)The economy of the United States of America e)Race and brutality in our cities f) The uprightness of the political decision. + + + + +Even though Wallace was not powerful at reigning Trump during Biden's comments, he worked admirably well. Biden's environmental strategies were consistently addressed, while Trump was flame-broiled on key points of the nation's interest who he seldom addressed. For example, attempting to rescind the Affordable Care Act without offering a substitution plan, holding rallies with huge groups during the COVID pandemic, and finishing government offices' racial affectability training. Wallace didn't hesitate for a second to ask intense questions or request a competitor to answer the questions they had evaded. He deserves appreciation for getting out information about environmental change and environmentalism (basic issues that have been generally neglected all through the election season and weren't expected to be raised during the debate). + +Post the debate Wallace got heavily criticized. Many accused him of being biased and giving an unfair advantage to Joe Biden. Furthermore, he got trolled for not being able to control Donald Trump. + + + + +CHRISTOPHER WALLACE AS UNBIASED MODERATOR + +The objective of a mediator is not to be involved. However, it is to simply give an approach to provide a way to pivot between the candidates. It seemed impossible to stop the heated argument. Trump interfered almost 145 times. On the other hand, Biden interfered somewhere in the range of one and two dozen times relying upon whose count we concur with. Wallace called Trump out on it. He confronted him for his infringement of the principles. + +Certainly, nothing seemed ideal in this discussion. However, Wallace put forth an attempt to give balance and to check when the discussion got out of hands. + + + + + + + + +TOPICS DISCUSSED: COVID-19 & THE US ECONOMY + +JOE BIDEN’S ARGUMENT + +In the context of the coronavirus and US economy, Biden said that the ‘Affordable Care Act’ and ladies' privileges were in question with Amy Coney Barrett's designation in Trump’s administration. Biden said ‘Trump had no medical care plans’. Biden mentioned that Trump knew how lethal the COVID-19 pandemic was and didn't have the arrangement to address it. He said Trump was irresponsible in handling the pandemic situation. Biden believed schools and organizations were not upheld to resume securely. He added, extremely rich people got profited by COVID-19 since Trump focused on the stock market.’You can't fix the economy until you fix the COVID emergency’, Biden emphasized. As Trump intruded Biden, the latter shot back saying: "You're the most noticeably awful president the nation has ever had".He said Trump would be the first president to leave the office with fewer positions than when he came in. Biden said his monetary arrangement would make 7 million, a bigger number of occupations than Trump had, and $1 trillion in financial development. He said he would raise the corporate assessment rate to 28%. He said the Obama organization acquired the most exceedingly terrible economy and fixed it, while Trump blew a roaring economy. + +DONALD TRUMP’S ARGUMENT + +Trump contradicted Joe’s statements saying millions would have died from COVID-19 if Biden was in his seat. He said the vaccine could be accessible sooner however political issues were postponing it. He condemned shutdown in Democratic-run states and said Biden would close down the nation. In Trump’s words ‘Individuals realize what to do, they can follow social distancing rules, they can wear masks and they can do anything they desire’. We must open these states is what Trump expressed. Trump appreciated himself for his leadership and administration and for building "the best economy ever". The US economy now is wrecked due to the 'China Plague'. Now the economy has started to give indications of recovery as the nation has relaxed the lockdown forced amid the pandemic. Trump said he paid millions in federal income tax in 2016 and 2017. Trump also said that the Obama organization had the slowest monetary growth since 1929, while he brought back manufacturing and 700,000 job positions. + +They discussed the recovery shape of the economy, whether it's profiting everybody or simply the rich. Trump kept on saying he needs the economy opened. Biden expressed the need to take a more careful and moderate methodology. He contended the dangers aren't justified, despite any potential benefits.
The US Economy + + +President Donald Trump represented Republicans while Joe Biden represented Democrats in the first presidential debate. The moderator Chris Wallace has asked various questions related to the US economy, COVID crisis, records related to Trump and Biden, Supreme Court, Race and violence, and integrity of the election. + + + + +The most important certitude of the debate was the US economy and its recovery post pandemic. The moderator asked whether the US economy is in a V-shaped or K-shaped recovery from the coronavirus downturn? Trump gave his stance for a V-shaped recovery while Biden asserted for a K-shaped recovery. + + + + +V-shaped recovery describes the sharp downturn in economy but bounces back gradually. According to the experts, it might be because of the pandemic that struck hard and resulted in economic depression. K-shaped recovery occurs, when some parts of the economy rebounds piercingly while other parts stumble. According to the reports, the industrial business is struggling for recovery while grocery stores and technology providers such as Zoom, Google Meet, etc., are burgeoning. + + + + +The moderator asked Trump about economic recovery after the COVID crisis. Trump asserted that he had resumed schools, restaurants and different platforms with an eye to meet the desired economic recovery. He claimed, people are well aware of the pandemic, can move out of their space along with the masks. And practice social distancing at the same time. He further said that Biden would shut the whole country down and destroy it simultaneously. Biden reverted back and criticised Trump for his misconduct during the pandemic, which resulted in growing cases and deaths in America due to COVID-19. He blamed Trump for the economic fall-down and aided for shutting down the country for the sake of safety and well-being of the people. He claimed that the economy cannot be recovered until the end of COVID crisis. + + + + +Trump tried to defend his administration in response, Few months back he ceased the country but now, resuming states for recurring business opportunities. He claimed that 10.4 million people were put back to the workforce in a four months period. He proclaimed for the economy doing incredibly well and setting records as it does, cutting Biden for coming unnecessarily and asking for a shut down in the country. + + + + +Biden claims, Obama presidency handed Trump a glooming economy and he rather blew it. However, Trump negotiated and said that he brought back manufacturing and 700,000 jobs while Democrats gave up on manufacturing. Though, Biden attacked Trump for employing fewer jobs during his administration. + + + + +The debate was inharmonious. We saw both the contenders were reverting back against the statements put forth. It will be useful only if people confer their votes according to the result of the debate.
As the initial of the three debates between USA President Donald Trump and democratic candidate Joe Biden passed off on 29 September. Each of the candidates was involved into a terribly crucial dialogues and set a bar of criticizing and insulting one another. The face-off between the opponents quickly delegate into chaos with ruthless and pitiless spherical of personal attacks. + + + + + +Trump mentioned Biden's son Hunter Biden, and suspects him for his business dealings in China and Ukraine. This has become the main focus of Republican criticism. Trump claimed that, a report from a recent Senate Republican investigation stated that the mayor or the city manager of Capital of Russian Federation gave Hunter Biden $3.5 m. He further asked Biden, “What did he do to deserve this massive digit amount.” Biden replied this is often all discredited, as his son Hunter Biden did nothing wrong. + + + + + +Joe Biden then hit back Trump by expression if, he wanted to tug families into this exchanging of dialogues, then they may concern this topic about Trump's and can talk all night long.Trump then responded, what he had aforesaid throughout his presidency term, that he and his family has “lost a fortune” with their public service. Trump additionally shifted his gears and accused Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, of being “thrown out of the military.” Biden firmly responded, his son, kind of a ton of people, had a drug drawbacks, he’s overtaken it. He’s now fixed it and he’s worked thereon and “I’m therefore so pleased with him.”
Millions of Americans had its eyes and ears on the much-awaited debate between Trump and Biden, as both the Presidential candidates were about to present and defend themselves in front of America and the whole world. The debate touched various topics and issues, from Supreme Court to Black Lives Matter, both the parties presented their strong cases along with some equally snide remarks about each other. The debate was as overheated as it was expected. Now when it comes to the outcome of the debate, different results came up by two different news channels, one being in favour of Biden and another of Trump. + + + + +According to the Post-Debate CNN poll conducted by SSR, six in 10 debate watchers confirmed Biden did a better job and only 28% watchers supported Trump. Before the debate, in an interview with the same voters, 56% had their expectations on Biden and the rest 43% on Trump. It can be resonated with the post-debate poll in 2016 after the first debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton where the majority 62% supported Hillary and only 27% were on Trump’s side. The survey conducted by CNN passed Biden with flying colours to be qualified as the next (better) President of America. + +On the contrary, if we shift our focus to the results of Fox News, in spite of presenting any survey or statistics, they proclaimed Trump as the “dominant force” of the debate and said he made a “historic victory.” Trump’s 2020 Campaign advisor Jason Miller spoke to the news channel, praising Trump for his performance in the first presidential debate. He backed up Trump, saying that the economy and COVID-19 recovery are the two most important issues right now and Trump is the only candidate to score points on those issues. He also defended the criticism of Trump for being “too hot” and for interrupting Biden too many times. Miller said Trump was a “dominant force” in the debate and laid out his clear vision for the future of America, he highlighted the shortcomings of Biden as a candidate and tried to prove he is weak to lead America. Miller described Biden as “too weak” and “too fragile” to be the next President. + + + + +The contradiction between CNN and Fox News suggests primarily one thing, their bias on one candidate over another. On one hand, CNN actively promotes Biden for being a better candidate than Trump and degrades Trump for his shortcomings and failures in his presidential period. On the other hand, Fox News portrays Trump to be a much stronger and dominant force than Biden, the one America needs right now. It mocks Biden for being too weak to handle the country. + + + + +This bias is evident to anyone. The reasoning for this is obvious, CNN comprises more Democrat daily watchers than Republican, and as a result, it chooses to lean more towards Democrat views and opinions. The same notion is applied to Fox News, which has more Republican viewers and tend to lean towards the Republican bias. Both the news channels are feeding the viewers what they want, incorporating the bias of opinions and disregarding the spirit of journalism. However, despite the chaos surrounding this election, it would be rather interesting to see the final results of the election on November 3rd. Whether the results of the current poll would be consistent, electing Biden the next President of America or will Trump again triumph and return as the two times undefeated President of the US.
Once, while watching the second edition of US Presidential debate of Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton, a thought came into my mind that shouldn't we have a pre - election debate. + +A well structured US - style debate gives voter a better understanding of a candidate and his politics. Secondly, the leaders could also benefit from it as they get instant feedback via their social media handles. Thirdly, it also reveals the true temperament of the candidate as he is under pressure during the debate. This is helpful in exacerbating leadership qualities. + +But there is a difference between India and United States polity. + +Firstly, US has a two-party political system whereas India has multi party system. Thus, makes it difficult for us. Secondly, in US,the running candidates are known beforehand the elections whereas in India, sometimes till the end, we don't know who is leading the party. Thirdly, India like US do not have a specialized non-partisan commission like US, which ensures that the debate meet certain standards. + +But, if a path midway is found, then debates should happen, not between just two candidates but between senior leaders of all the parties. The structure from the US system could be taken. + +By this, the level of discourse will not only improve, but there will be more talks about gender inequality, climate changes etc. + +In conclusion, we should have multiple structured debates between senior leaders across the parties with the topics known in the public forum beforehand mediated by an independent authority.