COMMENT | Fighting for the soul of America
COMMENT | The fight is on but the general election is in the United States of America. That's where the world is watching keenly on the sidelines as two oldies battle out in the race for the White House.
Incumbent President Donald Trump, 74, is seeking another four more years to make America great yet again and Joe Biden, 78, is trying his level best to get into the Oval Office himself and make America greater.
When the shots were fired from their respective national conventions, both took off from their starting blocks in contrasting styles. There was Biden, the Democratic Party nominee, who strode onto the stage and spoke to an empty hall, no thanks to the coronavirus.
He looked smart but didn't quite cut an impressive figure with his spiritless speech and lame look. There were no sparkles in his eyes as he tried very hard to look presidential.
At times, Biden smiled woodenly but most of the time he droned on and on without thunder in his tone. It is hard to say he contributed to the uplifting of...
COMMENT | The fight is on but the general election is in the United States of America. That's where the world is watching keenly on the sidelines as two oldies battle out in the race for the White House.
Incumbent President Donald Trump, 74, is seeking another four more years to make America great yet again and Joe Biden, 78, is trying his level best to get into the Oval Office himself and make America greater.
When the shots were fired from their respective national conventions, both took off from their starting blocks in contrasting styles. There was Biden, the Democratic Party nominee, who strode onto the stage and spoke to an empty hall, no thanks to the coronavirus.
He looked smart but didn't quite cut an impressive figure with his spiritless speech and lame look. There were no sparkles in his eyes as he tried very hard to look presidential.
At times, Biden smiled woodenly but most of the time he droned on and on without thunder in his tone. It is hard to say he contributed to the uplifting of the American spirit.
Then there was Trump, the flag-bearer of the Republican Party. Against the background of the imposing White House, the man who was introduced as the president who changed Washington was very much in charge of his own show.
He made use of the full panoply of presidential power to great effect, though some critics panned him for staging the event on the White House grounds for "private political gain".
His speech, though long and winding, still carried more punch than his opponent's. Coupled that with his facial and body expressions, Trump exuded strength and conviction.
Both men made a pitch for the soul of America, driving home the same point that it is the "most important election in US history" and that America's future will be determined by this "life-changing election".
So, America, if you vote for Biden, it would usher in a new era of "hope, love and light". If you elect Trump, it would mean four more years of "record prosperity".
Actually, America, in these dark times, needs both: love and hope to light the way forward and heal its many social ills, but also more economic progress in a tough global environment. Too bad, voters can only choose one.
On the flip side, both candidates warned you of dark consequences if either is your man. A Biden victory would bring socialism to American shore and spell the end of the American dream. A Trump landslide would worsen the coronavirus pandemic and entrench "systemic racism".
Very scary. If there is one thing guaranteed to scare the wits off the American people, it is seeing their freewheeling lifestyle threatened by socialists whose doctrine is no better than communism.
But the invisible enemy is even scarier, having infected more than six million people and killed nearly 200,000. This is simply unacceptable but the land of the free and brave is in a fix - socialism or coronavirus? The voters are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
But who America will listen to will depend to a large extent on first impressions. A candidate, especially someone seeking the most powerful job in the world, must capture immediately the imagination of the country with a scintillating and commanding performance on his first outing.
Former president Barack Obama (above) did just that with his rousing speech at the Democratic Party national convention in 2009 when he staked his claim for the White House, and went on to capture the hearts and minds of the American public.
Playing second fiddle as vice-president for eight long years, Biden must now step out of the shadow of his former boss and be his own man. He must come up with some winning ways, but in his first foray, he simply could not ignite the same firework or bring back those magic Obama moments.
Feisty Trump clearly won the first lap because "Sleepy Joe" came out looking frail and worn. He did not make a forceful impact. He lacked the verve and dynamism of Obama, which will make it harder for him to sway public opinion.
With only two months left to D-Day, Biden has to polish up his act and reinvigorate his lacklustre campaign. He has to wake up and take the battle to Trump.
In the end, presidential elections in the US are all about images and oratory. It is how you look and talk that will eventually carry you to the Oval Office.
PHLIP RODRIGUES is a retired journalist.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
