23 Oct 2020

Final US presidential debate slightly more muted

From Checkpoint, 5:12 pm on 23 October 2020

It was a slightly muted final Presidential debate - in more ways than one. President Trump and former Veep Joe Biden faced off for one last time before election day. The first debate that was described as a hot mess in a dumspter fire and a train wreck after the pair shouted over each other, meant some rules changes. This time, each of the candidates' microphones were cut while the other one had their two minutes of exclusive talking time. And both candidates were disciplined - mostly waiting until the other finished to have their turn in a clash that was far, far more presidental than the first. Topics included national security, race in America, climate change, leadership and American families - but began with the Covid-19 response.