Rude, shallow debate augurs badly for the free world

Greg Sheridan’s analysis of the presidential debate is incisive and persuasive (“Rude and brash, but Trump pierced the Biden bubble”, 1/10). He is correct when he states that the moderator, Chris Wallace, “did a poor job”.

It was clear from watching the debate that Donald Trump simply wanted the moderator to behave in a neutral and unbiased fashion — which doesn’t seem too much to ask or expect.

The moderator was far too intrusive and biased. A good many of his questions to Trump were more akin to lengthy accusations, which he challenged him to refute, than straightforward questions. Both candidates should have been asked the same questions and the questions should have been short, to the point and devoid of political bias. Small wonder Trump became exasperated by the moderator’s lack of balance and professionalism and complained that he was having to debate both Joe Biden and the immoderate moderator.

Dr Bill Anderson, Surrey Hills, Vic

Greg Sheridan says Donald Trump is a “bad-mannered, bullying bulldozer” and behaved that way in the debate. But he then passed over that to criticise Joe Biden for being a “weak candidate trying unsuccessfully to be macho”. Where is Sheridan’s criticism of Trump’s continued lying? Where is the analysis of why Trump argues the information about his federal income tax is both false and obtained illegally? Both positions can’t be true. Where is the analysis of Trump’s comment about the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by”?

Paul Connelly, Gawler South, SA

The presidential debate was, indeed, unedifying and rude, as your editorial states (“Puerile encounter reflects low ebb in US political life”, 1/10), but it demonstrated one obvious and worrying aspect: if Joe Biden wins the presidency he will not complete his four-year term. Watching closely, it was evident Biden displayed a lack of energy for the rigours and mental agility needed for the job of president — he is already showing signs of advanced ageing. More importantly, it would be the vice-president who would take on the position as leader of the free world and, frankly, that is an alarming prospect.

Lesley Beckhouse, Queanbeyan, NSW

There they were, each seeking to be leader of the free world — personifying the ignorant brand of popular culture to which we increasingly aspire. I wonder what the sober leaders of the less-than-free world are thinking.

Our civic leaders are required to be statesmen or women, with intelligence, wisdom, experience, gravitas, sagacity, spirit and soul.

Such people are still around but sadly devalued in the society we are creating.

We can do better if this embarrassing debate is any indication.

Ian Dewar, Subiaco, WA

I missed the live debate but had an idea that Donald Trump hadn’t fared as well as expected with early reports the US futures market had taken a slide. There’s no prize for guessing the sentiment of corporate America or everyday investors in the contest for the Oval Office.

Cameron Stewart contends the internecine affair favoured Joe Biden (“Chaos helped only one candidate”, 1/10) and it’s an objective analysis. However, the question remains: which of the two did enough to ensure disillusioned voters turn out?

The challenger’s distancing from the New Green deal may see sufficient numbers on the left stay under the doona to foil his bid, while whatever Trump does his base will never be put off. It’s clearly the reason he’s still a chance.

Kim Keogh, East Fremantle, WA

The US presidential debate was a humiliating shambles, a gaudy bill-board of political dysfunction. Joe Biden calling Trump a “clown” summed up the quality of the debate and offerings for the imminent presidential election.

One treats the presidency like a B-grade bombastic reality TV show to shamelessly feed an outrageous ego. The other gormlessly presumes the presidency is the natural laurel to close out an interminable congressional career.

Both are intellectually hollow and a dim shadow of the quality required to respectfully fulfil the primary office of one of the world’s great democratic peoples.

I am dumbfounded the mighty USA can’t do better than this harlequinade.

D. Brewster, Toowong, Qld