The Presidential Debate: Helpful to Voters or is it the Contrary?

By Kenneth Yang

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

On September 29th, 2020, the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden began with the purpose of addressing information that will be helpful to voters, and allow the people of the United States of America to make an easier and efficient decision. However, looking back at the debate itself, there has been much controversy on the issue of whether it was actually helpful or not. Although both parties stated their claims and attempted to put forth information backing their own stances, there were many attacks upon irrelevant information between the current president and vice president.

To give a basis on each party's viewpoints, both sides voiced their opinions on Supreme court vacancy, coronavirus pandemic, economy, race and violence, climate change, and election integrity.

Biden argued that it was essential to leave the Supreme Court spot open until the election so then voters will be able to voice their opinion on who should fill the seat, stated that Donald Trump did not have any plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19, billionaires are currently benefiting during the pandemic because of Trump, Donald Trump will leave office with fewer jobs, and proposed that his economic plan would benefit 7 million jobs and 1 trillion in economic growth as well as further raising corporate taxes to 28%.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, thought differently and stated that Republicans have the right to nominate the next Supreme Court judge, signed executive order to reduce drug price descriptions, paid millions in income tax, stated Obama administration had slowest economic recovery, and had confirmation that Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, received money from the Russians.

Although this was manageable to dig out of the debate, there have still been many people who did not think the presidential debate was helpful. Eunice Kim, a junior at Cypress High School, stated, “The presidential debate overall was a messy and unpresidential debate, which led to voters being more polarized.” Daniel Kong, a junior from Sunny Hills High School, furthers, “Nope, I think it showed the immaturity of both candidates. I think the presidential debates should have stricter regulations for the future.”

All in all, the debate was mutually agreed to be messy and at best slightly beneficial to the voters that tuned into the debate; however, it is seen that the debate was of no helpful benefit for the voters. In fact, there could have been stricter regulations and more forthright rules to prevent such a case from occurring.