The first of the many debates during the run-up to the 2024 US presidential election between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump was expected to reveal their respective views on “Making America Great Again”. The 90 odd minutes debate revealed enough animosity both had for each other but very little of what their plans were for the country they aim to lead.
The first debate comes close on the heels of the former president’s trial that ended on 30 May. Trump was convicted of 34 felony charges. Notwithstanding this indictment, Trump’s fan following seems unaffected among his dedicated Republican vote bank—90 per cent of them view Trump favourably, according to the New York Times/Siena College poll. But his popularity rating is only slightly higher than that of Biden’s. Trump’s voter turnout could be higher, especially after the conviction, which is seen as part of attempts to oust him from the contest.
There is an uneasy consensus among political commentators that prosecuting Trump has only helped his cause. He has received upwards of $50 million in campaign donations after his conviction. This has allowed the billionaire businessman and former TV personality to claim vindication in the court of public opinion, dismissing his convictions has political vendettas orchestrated by Democrats. While Trumpian politics questions the legitimacy of American institutions, voters and fellow party members haven’t forgotten 6 January. Notably, cabinet members from Trump’s first presidency, including his former Vice President Mike Pence, have reportedly not endorsed his second bid for the White House.
A low bar
As expected, the economy dominated the debate, even as the two presidential hopefuls jeered at one another’s claims and accusations. While Biden highlighted the positive outcomes of his presidency for the American economy, and how he plans to take forward the growth story. Trump, on the other hand, emphasised on how well the American economy was during his term, and why he is the better candidate to fix what is now messed-up by Biden.
Contrary to how the clash was being framed, expectations for both candidates were set ironically low. Trump was expected to be ‘normal’ and Biden to be ‘awake’. It is safe to say both candidates failed miserably. Trump resorted to whataboutery and deflected essential questions on his support for insurrectionists and his administration’s mishandling of Covid. Biden sounded winded and juggled words in his mouth. To both candidate’s credit, they largely stuck to the pre-agreed rules. Trump appeared on the offensive but lacked substance on the issue he was pressed on, while Biden, despite his lack of coherence, maintained consistent policy stances on ongoing issues such as the environment, foreign policy, and abortion rights.
There are other serious issues plaguing the US now. Despite a strong bounce back, the Biden administration is under fire for food and housing inflation. Trade imbalances with China, unchecked globalisation, and illegal immigration are emerging as hot button issues in red states. Whereas, police brutality, a failing social security net and income inequality are attracting voter attention in blue states. The two major parties of the US seem to be pressing on different agendas. Republicans in Louisiana and Oklahoma have introduced a bill to display the Ten Commandments across schools and teach the bible ‘immediately’ in classrooms. Meanwhile, Democrats seem to be internally divided on polarising issues such as the statehood for Palestine.
Also read: PM’s 100-day agenda may have to jettison core issues for coalition partners
Changing world order
Internationally, there are mixed reactions and apprehensions for a second Trump presidency. He is seen as being very lenient on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s advances. When pressed on Ukraine during the debate, he deflected the conversation to the Biden administration’s largess toward Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling the Ukrainian president a great ‘salesman’.
Trump has also set a track record of isolationist thinking, putting Article 5, NATO’s collective security obligation, in the same dubious position as America’s environmental commitments. His decision to pull-out of the Paris accord was one of the first things the Biden Administration reversed, though it has also not been successful in rebuilding America’s image as a performing superpower.
Neither candidate seems to have the unifying effect that American politics needs. Hence, presidential debates could become serial debacles, with voters only hearing what they want to hear: ‘the other side is always wrong’. There seems to be a serious lacuna in the American political system, as the choice before the voters and the world seems limited—choose between two aged and tired leaders to fix the problems of a young and energetic ‘brave new world’.
Regardless of who wins, will America gear up to tackle the challenges of an emerging new world order, assertive Russia, unstable West Asia, hegemonic China, and the uncertain future of the Indo-Pacific?
Seshadri Chari is the former editor of ‘Organiser’. He tweets @seshadrichari. Views are personal.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)