China News Service, Washington, October 16th, title: Trump Biden's "debate" in the air: divergent answers on similar issues
China News Agency reporter Chen Mengtong
In the second debate night of the original US presidential candidate, Trump and Biden spoke to voters in the same way and at the same time in different cities and different TV stations.
This special "debate" in the air is only 19 days away from the US election.
After US President Trump was diagnosed with the new crown virus, the US Presidential Debate Committee decided to change the second debate between the two sides to an online format.
This was rejected by Trump, and the coordination between the two parties was fruitless.
This debate was eventually cancelled.
On the evening of the 15th, Trump and Biden responded to the concerns of the people through live television in the form of voter question and answer sessions in Miami and Philadelphia respectively.
Florida and Pennsylvania, where the two cities are located, are also key "swing states" in the 2020 US election.
In addition to the host’s question session, representatives of the Democrats, Republicans, and "centre" voters asked them questions that night.
Trump sat leaning on a high chair with one foot on the ground, looked up at voters and answered questions.
Biden is leaning back on the sofa, looking up and communicating with voters.
On October 5, local time, US President Trump left the National Military Medical Center in Maryland and returned to Washington. When he arrived at the White House, he took off his mask.
Masks and epidemic prevention: don't mind vs. very important
The topic surrounding the new crown epidemic accounted for about 1/3 of Trump's entire question and answer.
Trump gave ambiguous answers to questions such as the last negative test result before his diagnosis, whether he had had pneumonia symptoms after infection, and whether the White House adopted "herd immunity" as an epidemic prevention strategy.
When asked whether he had a new crown test on the day of the first debate with Biden on September 29, Trump said that he did not know, "It may be tested, or it may not be tested."
"I don't test every day, but I feel good on the day of the debate."
A Democratic voter asked, "After the infection, is there any change in the importance of wearing masks?" Trump said, "I don't mind wearing masks. But people have different opinions about masks. Some people want to wear them, while others don't. "
Biden deliberately took out a medical mask during the interaction that night.
"The president's words are very important, whether they are good or bad or irrelevant, they are important." He said, "When a president doesn't wear a mask or makes fun of someone like me who wears a mask for a long time, people will say ,'Well, it must not be that important.'"
Nomination of the justices: logical vs. haste
When the two parties in the U.S. Congress reached a deadlock in negotiations on the new crown financial aid bill, the Republicans took advantage of the Senate majority to seek to quickly pass Amy Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court justice.
When asked why he opposed naming a justice before the general election four years ago, but now he changed his attitude, Trump said that Barrett is a suitable candidate for the justice and the nomination can be completed during his term. It must wait until after the general election."
On September 26, local time, US President Trump announced at the White House that Amy Coney Barrett (Amy Coney Barrett) was nominated as Justice of the Supreme Court.
Barrett, 48, is considered a conservative judge.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Mengtong
Since it is difficult for the Democratic Party to prevent Barrett from passing the nomination procedurally, the US media has recently been asking Biden whether he will consider expanding the number of justices if he wins the election.
This move may cause Biden to lose the support of the voters in the election.
Biden did not give a clear answer that night, but he said that his final decision depends on how quickly Republicans pass Barrett's nomination confirmation process.
He will state his position on related issues before election day.
Accept defeat? Fair elections vs. calls for unity
Both Trump and Biden were asked hypothetical questions about "if they lose the election" that night, and their answers have their own focus.
Regarding the question of "if he loses the election, will he transfer power peacefully", Trump changed his evasive attitude and gave a clear answer for the first time.
"Yes, I will. But I hope this is an honest election."
Trump said, "Peaceful transfer of power? I absolutely hope that. But ideally, I don't want to transfer because I want to win."
Biden focused his answer on "if we lose the election" on calling for national unity.
He said that if he loses the election, he hopes to return to the university to become a professor.
Biden said that whether he is a failed presidential candidate or elected president, eliminating racial injustice is one of the main directions of his efforts.
The data picture shows that Biden held a rally in Iowa on February 2, local time.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Mengtong
Compared with the chaos in the first debate, Trump and Biden's voter Q&A scenes were much "moderate".
However, the "smell of gunpowder" between Trump and the host is obviously stronger than Biden's.
The "Washington Post" commented that although there was no debate at the same time, the two had a tit-for-tat contest that night.
They have formed a sharp contrast in their governance styles and their positions on major issues such as the new crown epidemic.
The "Capitol Hill" believes that Biden, who is currently leading the polls, performed well that night. His relatively conservative and traditional interactions are likely to be overshadowed by Trump's "moment of battle" and the new controversies that arise from it.
On the 22nd, the two will have the second and final debate in Nashville, Tennessee.
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