Mary Katharine Ham, a Fox News analyst and co-host of Getting Hammered, joins Ben Smith, co-founder of Semafor and former media columnist for The New York Times. They delve into the recent debate between Biden and Trump, highlighting the panic in the Democratic Party over Biden's performance. The discussion also critiques perceptions of Biden's cognitive abilities compared to Trump, and examines the dynamics of charisma versus demeanor in political debates, unpacking the challenges both parties face leading up to the election.
Biden's cognitive struggles raised concerns about his candidacy among Democrats.
Trump aimed for a calmer demeanor but still displayed intense rhetoric at times.
Post-debate discussions revealed internal Democratic Party debates on Biden's electability and potential impact.
Deep dives
Biden's Disastrous Debate Performance
Biden's performance in the first presidential debate against Trump was widely criticized, with even staunch Biden supporters expressing dismay. Trump's behavior, skirting the line between his usual persona and a more restrained version, contrasted with Biden's lack of coherence throughout the debate. Observers noted Biden's struggles with several topics, including a particularly concerning moment where he froze, leading to discussions among Democrats about his campaign's future.
Media Reaction to Biden's Cognitive Decline
Post-debate commentary focused extensively on Biden's apparent cognitive struggles, with the media scrutinizing his performance. Observations of Biden's delays, incoherent sentences, and cognitive lapses renewed concerns about his ability to lead effectively. The discussion surrounding Biden's cognitive state highlighted a growing unease among journalists and Democratic figures regarding his candidacy.
Trump's Approach and Overall Debate Performance
Throughout the debate, Trump exhibited an approach aimed at presenting a calmer demeanor compared to his usual persona. While he managed to maintain composure for parts of the debate, there were moments where he veered into more familiar intense rhetoric, which reminded viewers of his divisive tendencies. Trump's performance, marked by defensiveness on certain issues and occasional tangents, contrasted with Biden's lack of clarity and strength in his responses.
Policy Discussions and Observations
Policy discussions during the debate were limited, with a notable exchange revolving around abortion where Trump surprisingly showcased a moderate stance. Biden's failure to articulate a strong response on key issues like economic details and abortion allowed Trump to appear relatively moderate. Policy-wise, the debate lacked depth and failed to provide a clear distinction between the candidates' approaches.
Implications for the Democratic Party and the Election
The debate's aftermath led to internal reflections within the Democratic Party, sparking discussions about Biden's electability and potential impact on the upcoming election. Calls for Biden to step down emerged among some prominent figures, signaling a growing uncertainty within the party. As post-debate analyses unfolded, the Democratic Party faced a challenge in redirecting its focus from internal debates to effectively engaging undecided voters in the lead-up to the general election.
Shifts in Political Landscape and Future Scenarios
The debate shed light on the evolving political landscape, hinting at potential shifts in party dynamics and candidate selection strategies. Trump's unorthodox style and Biden's cognitive struggles highlighted a disconnect between traditional political norms and the current environment. Observations on various political figures, including potential VP choices like JD Vance, underscored the changing nature of leadership within the Republican Party, reflecting broader shifts in political ideologies and expectations.
There was no raucous audience cheering and jeering last night in Atlanta, but the first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump was a painful affair. Even the most steadfast Biden partisans were devastated, panicked, and dazed, many of them waking up this morning saying the quiet part out loud: we can’t possibly run this candidate in November.
Here to break it down this morning are Mary Katharine Ham and Ben Smith. Mary Katharine is a Fox News analyst and the co-host of the podcast Getting Hammered. Ben Smith is the co-founder and editor in chief of Semafor, a former media columnist for The New York Times, and the host of the new podcast Mixed Signals.
