Katecey Harrell

If Donald J. Trump and Joseph R. Biden were introduced to the public for the first time during the recent presidential debate, neither would have made a great impression.

Presidential debates allow everyone to look at the candidates without preconceived ideas. This clean slate allows for more objective evaluations of their personalities and leadership potential.

The first of two general election presidential debates, on June 27, was a real test of character for these well-known politicians.

The debate happened weeks before party delegates choose their nominees at upcoming national political conventions. Many viewed it as a test for both candidates: Biden, to prove his mental fortitude, and Trump, to prove he has the temperament to handle pressure.

CNN reporters opened the debate by asking people on the streets what they hoped to see. One man’s desire for something “unifying” stuck with me as I watched the 90-minute squabble.

The tension between Trump and Biden during their initial stage appearance was apparent, as they didn’t shake hands and barely acknowledged each other’s presence. Both often veered off-topic and traded jabs over confirmed and rumored charges against each other. We must ask ourselves if either represented what we expect to see in our president of the United States.

It’s true that we often end up in echo chambers, only hearing what confirms our own beliefs. As a journalist, staying impartial can sometimes rub people wrong, especially regarding hot-button issues and being on the younger side means I’m still figuring things out.

So, when I watched the debate, I tried to approach it with fresh eyes, like I’d never heard of either candidate before. It helped me see beyond the noise and focus on what they were saying and how they carried themselves.

Biden lost his train of thought, trailed off and mumbled at multiple points throughout the debate. I struggled to hear him, and even when I did hear him, at times I struggled to understand his point or its relevance to the question.

The first question for Biden was what he would say to voters who feel they are worse off under his presidency than they were under Trump. Biden immediately blamed the former administration for inheriting a “free-falling” economy.

Trump rebutted, saying Biden inherited almost no inflation and accused the current president of blowing it up under his administration. Trump consistently redirected his responses to address past questions and claims rather than answering the current questions.

That was the trend throughout the night: one candidate made claims while the other undermined them, often attributing any negative outcomes to their opponent.

Both made claims that were found false or not exactly right.

Given the intertwined mix of truth and false narratives, no one approaching it from neutrality could form an opinion based solely on the candidates’ statements. Focusing on how the candidates spoke, their body language and facial expressions and how they treated each other was my most significant takeaway.

Neither was friendly or kind, and both antagonized the other. Biden often came across as blissfully unaware, while Trump was cold and, at times, arrogant.

Biden’s cognitive ability is not at the level expected for a president, and it will deteriorate further as he ages; he’s easily distracted and influenced. While Trump is in seemingly good physical and mental condition, he made many hyperbolic and outlandishly false statements.

His hyper-independence is as worrisome as Biden’s codependence. However, many observers believe Trump won the debate.

Listening closely to debates is essential for fact-checking and evaluating the character of the candidates. As the presidential election draws near, this approach gains even greater importance.

I would’ve liked to see compassion, understanding and clarity of thought, but instead, I saw two smug old heads dishing it out on live TV. What fun. I hope we have the chance to see something different at the next presidential debate Sept. 10 — perhaps even something unifying.