Mia Raspanti
Asst. News Editor
The last Presidential debate for this election season was hosted on Thursday, October 22 at Belmont University. Tensions were high as the two candidates made their final pitches to voters, leaving the fate of the country in the hands of the people.
The 90 minute program was divided into small segments focusing on COVID-19, foreign policy, race relations, the economy and climate change. Trump, who is facing an average national deficit of nine points in the polls, began the night by defending his administration's handling of the Coronavirus pandemic. Public disapproval and over 200,000 lives lost to the virus have been major sources of concern in regard to Trump’s re-election. According to pollster FiveThirtyEight, about 57.6% of Americans disapprove of the President’s handling of COVID-19 while 39.4% approve.
Biden discussed the detailed plan his administration would implement should he be elected as president. Biden’s plan is to reinstate the “Pandemic Playbook” that he and former President Barack Obama developed during their eight years in office and left for the preceding administration.
President Trump continuously touted the economic growth the United States experienced under his administration prior to the pandemic. He claimed, “You will have a depression the likes of which you've never seen" if Biden is elected. In addition, President Trump pointed fingers at Biden bringing up his foreign affairs and claiming his son, Hunter, has received millions of dollars from business engagements in China and Ukraine.
Biden confronted Trump about his handling of foreign policy and immigration, referring to the Trump administration’s separation of children from their families, resulting in the United States being unable to locate over 545 parents. Biden additionally denied all accusations made against him in regard to his foreign affairs with China and denied all allegations made against his son. The former Vice President often looked directly into the camera and pointed, almost as if he was looking directly at the audience. Trump called this a “typical politician move.”
Vice President Biden confronted President Trump’s apparent mishandling of the pandemic and downplaying of the virus’s death rate. Biden asserted, “Anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain as President of the United States of America. I will take care of this. I will end this. I will make sure we have a plan.”
This debate was the last chance each candidate was given to make a lasting impression on the voters of America. The 2020 Presidential election will officially take place on November 3. Rhode Islanders can click here to find their polling place.
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