On Oct. 22, the second and final presidential debate was held between current President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden in Nashville, Tenn.
The second debate was originally intended to be held on Oct. 15 but was cancelled due to Trump contracting COVID-19.
The final debate was held at Belmont University with a significantly small live crowd of 200 people.
While the first debate was moderated by Fox’s Chris Wallace, the final debate was overseen by NBC’s Kristen Welker. Welker, a White House correspondent, possessed the ability to mute candidates’ microphones in an attempt to prevent the two from talking over each other.
“I think Welker did a good job during this debate. I also think it was a great idea to have the option to mute the candidates, and by doing so, the debate was much more organized and coherent,” said senior Jack Kelly.
While millions of Americans have already voted, this debate is vital for those who have not yet decided about their candidate.
According to an AP newsroom report, presidential historian Michael Beschloss said, “The rule is that last debates before the election have a big impact.”
Welker asked a variety of questions which covered topics including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, the economy, race, foreign policy, and health care.
The opening topic of the pandemic was highly discussed. Trump talked about the future of the vaccine and how it would be ready in the near future. Trump also stated, “We are rounding the turn, we are rounding the corner, it’s going away.”
Biden questioned Trump’s tactics and said, “Anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain as President of the United States of America. We are in a situation now where there are over 1,000 deaths a day.”
Each candidate portrayed himself differently.
“Trump portrayed himself as the same outsider he first pitched to voters four years ago, repeatedly saying he wasn’t a politician. Biden, meanwhile, argued that Trump was an incompetent leader of a country facing multiple crises and tried to connect what he saw as the president’s failures to the everyday lives of Americans,” reported AP Newsroom.
Another topic discussed during the debate was health care and the either completely new or updated systems which each candidate hopes to bring to the American people.
Trump hopes to eliminate the previously implemented Obamacare and bring a new national health care system to the states.
“What I would like to do is come up with a much better health care system that will always protect those with pre-existing conditions,” said Trump.
Biden has a different plan and hopes to build upon, instead of eliminate, Obamacare.
“What I am going to do is pass Obamacare with a public option and become Bidencare. This will provide competition for insurance companies,” said Biden.
Race was another debate topic which has been a widely reviewed social topic. Welker introduced this topic by referencing “the talk,” which Black Americans give to their children about how they could be targeted due to the color of their skin.
Trump discussed the criminal and prison reforms which were put forward under his administration. He then discussed his own view of himself and said, “I think I have great relationships with all people. I am the least racist person in this room.”
Biden responded to this claim and said, “[Trump] pours fuel on every single racist fire.”
Senior Rachel Gladu reflected on the debate and said, “The moderator was awesome, she had great questions. Overall, the debate was more under control. Rules were followed, which is weird to say since they’re both grown men who should already be following simple requests.”
