Uh-oh. What happens now?
Re Biden-Trump presidential debate, June 27
Iam a 75-year-old lifelong Democrat. I have voted for the Democratic nominee every time I have voted for president. I have been a strong supporter of President Biden for a long time. I believe he has done a good job. However, I think his debate performance showed that he is past his prime. I think that for the benefit of the country, he should step down as a candidate for the presidency.
Our country has too much to lose if former President Trump is elected. I truly believe that our democracy will be at risk if that lying, narcissistic, wannabe dictator is elected. More than fearing Trump, I fear the people he will pick to enact his agenda.
Mike Reardon, Fallbrook
As expected, the debate was a farce. Nothing new was learned. The politicians restated their positions. They answered the questions they wanted to and not those that were asked by the moderators.
A debate has no relationship with one’s ability to govern, let alone with their underlying principles and beliefs. The lack of meaningful follow-up questions was a fatal flaw.
Nevertheless, in a perverse sort of way, the debate was revealing. There was a clear winner, and it was not Trump.
Even if you treat his showing as a case of performance art, elevating form way over substance, it was still telling. Trump was bombast, chaos, retribution and lies. Biden was boring, detailed and substantive. These descriptions are consistent with their reputations.
So, the question becomes, which is a better way to govern, form or substance?
Someone once said that the people get the government they deserve. If you want governing, there is one choice. If you want sound and fury, woe to us.
Steven L. Rice Thousand Oaks
After watching the debate between Biden and Trump, all I can say is this: There is no form of damage control that can save Biden.
I was actually starting to feel pity for Biden as he feebly fumbled his way from one question to the next, often staring off into oblivion with his mouth open, but my sympathies evaporated when he started telling outright lies.
My son-in-law is a war veteran with two tours of duty in Afghanistan and now works for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He was watching the debate with us. As soon as Biden started talking about veterans and the VA, he stood up, pointed at the screen and said, “That’s a lie ... he can’t say that ... he’s lying!”
At one point I burst out laughing when Trump was asked to reply to something Biden had mumbled, and in response Trump said, “I don’t know what he just said at the end of that sentence, and I don’t think he knows either.”
And so went the evening. I’m just waiting to see what kind of lies and excuses are cooked up to defend the president. The first one I’m seeing is that Biden has a cold.
Good Lord, this is pathetic. Time to change out the batter. Just do it.
Arthur Saginian Santa Clarita
During the debate, the sitting president was a mumbling, fumbling, unfocused individual, the agony of his physical and mental frailty on display.
The lopsided verbal encounter between these two grumpy old men exposed America’s utter helplessness, hopelessness and misery. It also normalized blatant lies and unfounded conspiracies articulated by a convicted felon with confidence and great ease.
Between now and Nov. 5, the number of undecided voters who care about this country beyond party and personality will definitely swell. Most of them will let their conscience sway them to stay home and not give a mandate to either of the two evils.
I’ll be one of them.
Abdul-Majeed Azad Columbus, Ohio
I, like millions of Americans, watched the debate between Biden and Trump, after which a cavalcade of surrogates and spinners told us what they want us to believe we had just witnessed.
What I saw, and I hope most other thoughtful voters saw, was a very polished and experienced con man repeat his many lies, exaggerations and distortions of the truth on national television.
His opponent, a reformed stutterer and lifelong public servant who has devoted his career to improving the lives of every American, may have seemed at a loss for words at times. But he is clearly the better person to lead our country for the next four years.
Do not let yourself be fooled by a 90-minute, liefilled infomercial by a former reality show huckster who will say anything to make you believe he is the answer to your problems. We as a country are better than that.
Donnie Moore Redondo Beach
It deeply shocked me that the CNN moderators did not right away correct or stop Trump’s lies, including his statement that nobody respects Biden, including the leaders of European countries.
To the contrary, European leaders have known and liked the highly experienced and decent Biden for a long time.
These leaders are horrified that someone like Trump could win back the presidency.
Liselotte Millauer
Hollywood
The coming election is no longer just about Biden versus Trump. This decision is about the kind of country we want to live in.
Biden’s age and faltering speech are not what we need to be discussing. Trump’s altered view of reality, constant lying and refusal to answer questions are of greater concern. He fully intends to be a dictator and all that implies.
I hope this spurs every eligible voter to go to the polls. This is the wrong time to sit out.
Cathy Dekastrozza Mesa, Ariz.