By Michelle Naranjo

“That debate was the worst thing I’ve ever seen & I was in ‘The Star Wars Holiday Special’"

– Mark Hamill on Twitter

My sympathies go out to moderator Chris Wallace and the task handed to him. In future debates, a kill mic switch should be available to the moderators because the spectacle viewers watched tonight was an insult to voters. To say that it was chaotic is an understatement. 

There was undoubtedly debate prep done on each side, but Joe Biden, when he wasn’t laughing at Donald Trump, or telling him to shut up, delivered valid points. From the inappropriate nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, to Trump’s dismissal of experts in healthcare, science, and the environment, Biden attempted to drive home clear points that would usually be seen as considerate, respectful, and even presidential.

Trump wasn’t there to do any of the above. Wallace got a hard lesson very quickly that he wasn’t in control as a moderator. The current president did a dog whistle to white supremacists, refusing to denounce them, even saying, “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by." The quote already is reflected in the new logo of that organization and was just one of many moments that must have had viewers reeling. 

Biden did manage to remain composed and directly addressed the viewers on several salient points, despite the blur of word salad thrown out from his opponent. One powerful moment meaningful to so many watching was his defense of his son Hunter’s addiction and ongoing recovery. 

The Biden statement tonight that keeps ringing for me isn’t the responses to the barrage of insults, but this: “Under this president, we have become weaker, sicker, poorer, more divided, and more violent.” He’s been paying attention.

Some are questioning the future of these debates, but they need to continue: especially since the next one will be a town hall-style where the candidates have to face voter questions. Which they might even listen to.

Naranjo is a freelance writer based in rural Pennsylvania.

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