US presidential debate – a dismal choice

Sir, – Thursday night’s debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump made for depressing viewing, and raises serious concerns about what is ahead for US democracy.

Mr Biden’s goal of energising his campaign with a robust performance, and a format that was meant to corral Mr Trump’s more belligerent and disruptive behaviour, backfired completely.

Mr Trump was able to throw out his usual sound bites on unsubstantiated policy claims, lies and denials about his behaviour, while Mr Biden stumbled incoherently and failed to land any telling blows.

As a result the Democratic party have some real soul searching to do, and this election more than any previously has the future of US democracy at its core. The Heritage Foundation, which has huge influence on the Trump campaign, has a well-developed and publicised plan called Project 25 in which they envisage “institutionalising Trumpism” through dismantling the federal structures of government and the US civil service. A review of some of the recommended actions are chilling. Hard-won social freedoms, environmental protections, and checks on unhindered corporate power are in serious jeopardy.

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Mr Trump will enter the White House bent on revenge for what he perceives as a conspired humiliation in 2020, and completely open to ideas that would weaken systematic checks on his power.

The reaction in the coming weeks by US Democrats is pivotal to what happens next. – Yours, etc,

BARRY WALSH,

Blackrock,

Cork.

Sir, – Strange as it may seem, Mr Biden’s dismal display in the debate could be the best thing to happen the Democratic Party, if they play their cards right. If Mr Biden can be convinced to step down in the interests of the US and be replaced by a younger, fitter, more combative candidate who will stand up to Trump and his many outlandish claims, they could win in November. – Yours, etc,

BOBBY CARTY,

Templeogue,

Dublin 6W.

Sir, – Did President Biden’s faltering and concerning performance during the CNN debate make Donald Trump’s unsuitability for office irrelevant? – Yours, etc,

AIDAN RODDY,

Cabinteely,

Dublin 18.

Sir, – Joe Biden’s performance in the first presidential debate provided further evidence of his cognitive decline. It is not ageist but simply factual to say that at 81 he is showing signs of the impact of advancing years on both his mental acuity and physical wellbeing.

The challenge for the Democratic Party is how to transition at this eleventh hour to another candidate for the election in November.

Kamala Harris, as vice-president, has not shown herself to be a credible option and, while this exacerbates the scale of the problem, it should not and cannot prevent action.

Difficult as it may be to take on this challenge so late in the day, failure to do so will almost certainly tip the balance sufficiently from its current 50/50 status in favour of Mr Trump.

If President Biden truly believes that another Trump administration would signal a disaster for both the US and the world at large, he should now listen to reason and offer to stand down in favour of another candidate.

Anything less on his part and that of the Democratic Party will most likely gift Mr Trump the White House in November. – Yours, etc,

GERRY PRIZEMAN,

Clontarf,

Dublin 3.

Sir, – Two things are clear from the US presidential debate on Thursday night: Donald Trump must not be the next president of the United States, and, unfortunately, Joe Biden must not be the next president of the United States.

President Biden has been a consequential one-term president, with significant legislative achievements against the odds in a very partisan Congressional environment. He has restored stability and a degree of sanity to the much-sullied office he inherited from his predecessor.

However, if that predecessor is not also to become his successor, then President Biden must stand aside to allow a more energetic, dynamic and relatable candidate to run in his stead.

Mr Biden himself has said that democracy is on the ballot come November. The re-election of Mr Trump would see a convicted felon, and facing further felonious charges of overturning the last election, return to the Oval Office. His second term would be much more frightening than his first.

When first elected he was manifestly unprepared and did not have an effective administration – instead cobbling together a team of diverse, uncoordinated and squabbling “talents” to his cabinet which undermined his ability to get his policies through.

Next time, he has a game plan ready to go – and it will be dark, disruptive and dangerous.

Ukraine and Europe more widely should be fearful of a Trump restoration. The American people may well face further social and political polarisation, with stark and perhaps once again violent outcomes.

For these reasons, Joe Biden would ensure – indeed amplify – his presidential legacy if he magnanimously stepped aside to hand the baton to the next generation.

A younger candidate immediately puts the age issue back on 78-year-old Trump (who would, if successful, become the oldest to take office next January) and may help reconnect with those younger voters who have been wounded by Mr Biden’s approach to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Here’s the deal, Joe: stand aside. You have done the States some service. – Yours, etc,

GERARD ARTHURS,

Lecturer in International

Relations and Politics,

South East Technological University,

Waterford.