Trump debate has shaken American democracy in its heart

Tuesday night’s first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden was a general disgrace: a debate full of childish insults, exaggerated intimidation, brazen lies and relentless interruptions. Television commentators breathlessly proclaimed that Americans had not received the answer. answers they were looking for and so desperately deserved.

I agree with that.

The ultimate vital response has become clear: only one guy at this level in Cleveland gave the impression even from a presidential distance, and it’s not the user who occupies the Oval Office.

On 3 specific problems – electoral equity, a nonviolent movement of strength and race – Trump has reinforced his preference for breaking the social fabric of American society and does not hide who he is or how desperate he has become. are ambitious and dangerous.

I watched the debate, in part, to assess which candidate had maximum intellectual health, after months of hearing Trump criticize Biden’s skill, intellect, and physical endurance. How many facts can simply be ignored?

Instead, Trump’s shameful show of petulance and betrayal overshadowed any imaginable discussion of cognitive abilities. Its 90-minute functionality shook American democracy in its heart and could soon plunge into a crisis.

Trump’s flagrant efforts to undermine confidence in The U. S. voting formula came in mid-Tuesday night, as he warned of possible bad elections in the election due to mailed ballots. “It’s going to be a fraud like never before,” he said. I probably wouldn’t know for months because those elections are going to end. “

It is transparent that the president needs to interrupt a fair election and encourages voter intimidation on Election Day. “I urge my followers to go to the polls and look very carefully,” he said. “Because that’s what has to happen. I urge you to do it. “

Polls recommend biden win this election and Trump is in defensive mode, but his depression is obvious. Trump has continually refused to agree to the election results, and on Tuesday he again demonstrated that he plans to take Supreme Court action in the face of any electoral dispute. He doesn’t leave the workplace without a fight.

“Yes, I think I’m counting on them to take a look at the ballots, definitely,” Trump said. “I hope we don’t want it, in terms of the choice itself. it’s happening it’s amazing. “

In addition to the Supreme Court, Trump also filed a blatant call on guns to protect his presidency when Fox News debate moderator Chris Wallace asked whether Trump would condemn white supremacist teams and militias that incite violence in American cities and ask them to resign. , the president instead encouraged them. ” Proud Boys, back off and stay away,” Trump said, referring to a far-right organization that supported white nationalism and violence. “But I’ll tell you what, you have to do anything for the antiphate and the left. “

The Proud Boys celebrated their new fame.

Trump sells hatred and disruption. Your words will have consequences in this election and beyond. With COVID-19 ravaging our country, a suffering economy, and a race account, the United States is already in a fragile state. However, Trump continues to use divisive tactics to defeat apparent leaders and prefer to unite.

Biden is not a very productive presidential candidate. But he did the most productive thing on Tuesday to present a substantive argument as to why he is better able to occupy a workplace while being attacked. There were times when he bit Trump’s childish hook: “Could you keep your mouth shut, man?” and visibly frustrated with the process. But Biden also tried to talk directly to voters, look at the camera and deal with their long-term voters.

Those moments mattered. These moments highlighted the adult in the room, the guy who had the project of his choice to serve and bring this country out of the breaking point of destruction.

No, Americans haven’t heard much about politics; It was almost to discern genuine answers with all the crosstalk and screaming. The debate has left many of us frustrated and upset. But we’ve noticed enough.

National columnist Suzette Hackney is a member of TODAY’s editorial board. Contact her at shackney@today. com or on Twitter: @suzyscribe

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