The final presidential debate of the 2020 election season was a long-awaited return to normalcy. While this certainly didn’t hurt President Trump’s campaign, ultimately, it placed Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the harsh glare of the spotlight. For Biden, the results were less-than-stellar.
After a tumultuous first meeting marked by anger, insults, and plenty of unstatesmanlike behavior from both men, the country was ready for a contest that looked more like an actual debate. Thursday night’s moderator, NBC News journalist Kristen Welker, emerged as the star of the night. Though she wasn’t perfect, her poise and direction helped to create a better atmosphere, one that had been sorely lacking from the Sept. 29 showdown. For once, Trump’s characteristically wild behavior was kept in check by the rules and by his handlers.
Though Trump’s base prefers his outlandish and boorish style, it works best when he is on stage at rallies or navigating his favorite social media platform. When standing next to an opponent, his message is best presented in a toned-down but no less emphatic fashion. It is no surprise that Trump has difficulty achieving this happy medium.
Surprisingly, it is exactly what he did on Thursday. This basic behavior was in stark contrast to his behavior in the first debate. In many ways, Trump meeting the bare minimum of debate decorum didn’t so much directly help him as it made Biden look worse. In the first contest, the former vice president only needed to offer himself as an alternative to the angry, taunting Trump. That was an easy task. Competing with a calmer Trump meant that Biden had only his policies to lean on. It is not hard to present oneself as the more sane alternative when your opponent seems incapable of self-restraint. When that feature is all but gone, substance must win the day. That is where Biden faltered.
Given the proximity to Election Day, and the fact that millions of ballots have already been cast, the final debate may matter little. However, for undecided voters and disaffected Republicans, it was one last reminder that a Biden-Harris administration would be another big government lurch to the left. Voters may cringe at Trump’s personality, but when policy is measured against policy, it is very clear that Biden is not the better option. That reminder may just be enough to bolster Trump’s chances in these remaining days.
Because the former vice president was forced to reckon with a tame adversary, he, in turn, appeared more unfocused and even exhausted. This weariness would be of no help to any politician but especially not one who is set to turn 78 only a few weeks after Election Day. It also doesn’t help that he has been a fixture on the national stage for more than four decades. Trump effectively brought up Biden’s eight years as President Barack Obama’s right-hand man. A two-term vice president is asking for additional time to take the country in a more progressive direction. Trump exists because of this very thing.
The final debate was the best the incumbent and his team could have hoped for. Trump’s behavior was out of character — in a good way. By stepping a bit to the side, he kept Biden from relying on his greatest strength: his personality. With only his policies left, Biden appeared as nothing more than a generic Democratic Party candidate with a platform that will be detrimental to every aspect of American life.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
