The final US presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden turned out to be a far more civil affair compared to their previous encounter that was marred by interruptions and crosstalk. Trump behaved himself this time and actually tried to defend his policies in office. Although that didn’t prevent him from slipping into personal attacks against Biden and his family at various points. But at least the American public and the world got a chance to grasp the platforms of the two candidates. Trump went into the debate still trailing Biden in the opinion polls. But with just 11 days to go for voting day, the debate was more an opportunity for the two candidates to charge up their respective bases rather than convert people to their side.
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Overall, Biden has tried to project himself as a calm hand who can reunite a polarised America and champion an institutions-based approach to problems. Trump, on the other hand, continues to channel the rage of those Americans who feel short-changed by the system. In fact, even during this debate he tried to project himself as a non-politician who had his pulse on ordinary Americans. But his poor handling of the Covid crisis, refusal to categorically condemn white supremacy and desperate attempts to raise the bogey of a radical leftist takeover of America may backfire on him.
Needless to say, the outcome of this US presidential election will also have profound consequences for the rest of the world. Trump’s ‘America First’ approach has shaken up the global order and created much uncertainty. Biden promises a return to normal multilateral operations and predictable rules of engagement. In that sense, it is a battle between American leadership of the world and a new, angry, inward-looking America. In another 11 days we will know how the next four years for the world will pan out. Hold your breaths, this is a tectonic moment.
