As embarrassing and pathetic as it was, what an incredible gift we received Tuesday night by the debate, which allowed the real Donald Trump to appear – the emperor with no clothes, no plans: no plan for health care, no plan for the pandemic and always refuting what any of his experts advise him, even firing many who disagree with him.
As disdainful as the chaos was, Trump’s self-aggrandizing narcissism was on display for all of us to see. My concerns about his bullying Joe Biden evaporated, as his constant, loud interruptions took the place of any substantive discussion on any issue. I wish that Biden might have been more articulate and not lowered himself to name-calling, but he hardly had to say anything when he just looked at us to come out the clear winner of this “debate” (or more accurately debacle).
My anxiety about the upcoming election seemed to dissipate acknowledging that any undecided voters (and just maybe some of his base) who were watching, had to be frightened by the thought of another four years of Trump’s impulsiveness and his inability to lead in the Oval Office. How did we ever get here?
There has to be an abrupt change of direction to the winds of our politics. We were made more aware of how absurd it has been that our Republican Senate has not stood up to this president. As painful as it was for us to have the entire world see the debate, this event can be the start of a reawakening of our shared values as citizens of our democracy, a recapturing of what it means for us to be patriotic Americans.
OGE YOUNG
Concord