Salahuddin Haider
AMERICA’s first Presidential debate, part of their election campaigning, aimed at helping the electorate to chose which of the two main candidate would serve them better after the November 3 elections, and after taking over reigns n January 20, 2021. It was bitter, rough and devoid of decency, as Donald Trump, seeking a second term in White House, claim overall improvement in revenue, and employment positions during his current stint, ending a little after four weeks.
Under the American Constitution, elections are held in first or second week of November ever four years, last being in 2016 when former secretary of State and senate Hillary lost by a big margin. But under American system a series of public debates are held for public understanding, the last being close to elections when the two main candidates of Republican and Democrat parties’ nominee present their viewpoints on issues concerning America and their international involvement as super power re interviewed with full view of the public.
The interviewers are drawn from best known intellectuals like Editors of Major newspapers, high profile characters etc, and the debate is widely televised for the benefit of the electorate but the winner takes oath of office on January 20, for till then he I guided on major policy issues, and is made to understand the intricacies of problems and uses confronting Unite States, both within and without/
In the first of these debate between Donald Trump, sitting President, and Democrats Joe Biden, twice former Vice President, bitterness and indecent methodology seem to have overshadowed all the dignity, decency and democratic traditions which Americans are proud of. These were thrown to the winds because of Trumps incessant interruptions while Biden tri to explain his viewpoint on problems facing the country, which the media described as ‘worst kind of Joke’, calculated attempt to damage or even sabotage American democracy.
Donald Trump’s behaviour and his defence of the policies pursued during the four years he had been in office, was described as below decency level, Hillary Clinton =, reacting to his Trumps’ remarks, wondered why her remarks that Russian money helped Trump come to power in 2016, was not even investigates by the person, aspiring for fresh four yea term. FBI, several other intelligence agencies enquiring into the matter, were prevented from doing their national duty.
For Trump money was everything. He is hungry for power and pelf, callous and indifferent to national calamity like Corona Pandemics, allowing over 200,000 people to die without proper attention and the President, whose duty is to protect the lives and property of the people of the country, could care less, or perhaps ignored such a sensitive issue, which is a bad reflection on him, and he cant be allowed to get back to White House again.
Televisions footage seen of the debate, was powerful evidence that Biden was not even allowed to present his viewpoint. Trump kept interrupting him when he was not supposed to stop the rival candidate from speaking his mind about crucial issues. Several of the Key lights of American politics, and leading media organisations like MSNBC, CBNN, New York Times, Washington Post, and many others were bitterly critical of Trump’s behaviour.
Even House speaker Nancy just laughed it off the way Trump behaved during the proceedings. Eye brows were raised about his Tax returns, and declared lose of 47 million dollars, whereas the tax department disputed his claim about profits Trump companies were making. American democracy is in danger, commented an old timer, who served the American government in key positions. He views were endorsed by most TV anchors and commentators.
