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(NewsNation) — The first presidential debate of the 2024 election has come to a close, and political experts joined NewsNation to discuss the format, content and how the candidates stacked up against each other.
NewsNation hosts Dan Abrams and Elizabeth Vargas joined Chris Cuomo to discuss some of the hottest debate topics: Was Joe Biden all there? Was Donald Trump different than his opponents believe? Will tonight make a difference?
“I think [the debate] could make a difference. I’m not sure it’s the difference that the Biden campaign wants it to make,” Vargas said.
Biden’s gravelly voice concerned some observers.
“He did not look sure-footed, he did not sound sure-footed. He did pick up a little bit of steam, of energy, later, especially when sparring when former President Trump,” Vargas said.
The peculiar format of the debate also gave some pause.
“I think the format, which was mics to be cut and no audience, you know, didn’t suit Biden very well tonight,” Vargas said.
For Trump, however, the format was beneficial, as the former president was forced to refrain from interjecting or coming off as disruptive during the debate.
But for Abrams, the format was only one piece of the puzzle.
“I don’t think it was the format that became the issue here. There is no way to say that Joe Biden had a good night,” Abrams posited. “I think if anyone comes on after this debate and says that ‘Joe Biden had a great night!’ That’s not a credible assessment.”
Abrams believes the debate was not a battle for Republicans or Democrats but for the undecided voters, but he said that neither shone enough to swing those voters.
Cuomo summarized the trio’s opinion: “If either of you performed the way either of them performed tonight, you’d be out of a job.”