USA, voter reactions to the first presidential debate

2024-06-28 20:53:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

USA, voter reactions to the first presidential debate

Photo taken from foreign media

On Thursday evening, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the expected candidates of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party for President, faced off in the first debate of the campaign for the election of November 5 of this year.

VOA correspondent Dora McCourt spoke with some voters and brings their reactions to the debate. In all American cities, from New York to Los Angeles, from Michigan to Las Vegas, including passengers on a flight from Minneapolis to Miami; millions of Americans watched the first debate of this election campaign between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Among pro-President Trump groups, voters suggested that President Biden's performance shows that he is not fit to be re-elected President.

"I don't want to show any disrespect to the elderly, but Mr. Biden mixes up the words a lot. I don't think he is fit to be a leader," says Armani Torres, a supporter of Mr. Trump in New York, for VOA.

"I think it's really hard for any human being to look at this debate and say that Mr. Biden is fit to be our president," Rosanne Ponkowski, a Trump supporter from Michigan, told VOA.

"I think Donald Trump did well. He kept his cool," says Sandra Bastian, a supporter of former President Trump from California, for the Voice of America.

"He was holding back quite a bit. I wish he had attacked (President Biden) more. But I understand that he should be polite," said Jerry Pian, a supporter of Mr. Trump from California, for VOA.

Other observers of the debate were disappointed that the candidates did not directly answer some questions, including one about Mr. Trump's pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants if he wins the election.

"Former President Trump did not answer the question of whether he would deport 13 or 14 million immigrants, which would separate spouses and children from people who have lived here for 20 or 30 years," Domingo Garcia of the Citizens League told VOA. United Latin America.

Some complained that they didn't even get an answer about the cost of living increase.

"Inflation has increased under Biden. Everything has become much more expensive. Things are three or four times more expensive than they were during the Trump presidency. Fuel prices are very high," said Charles DiMauro, a supporter of Mr. Trump from California, for the Voice of America.

"I think some of the questions are not being answered by the candidates, which is unfortunate," said Hamton Brown, a supporter of President Biden from California.

A group of President Biden's supporters in Los Angeles focused on the topics discussed, rather than evaluating the candidates' performances.

"Trump is a liar. Everything he says is lies. He will never protect us women. He will not protect minorities and will get us into more wars," Lisa Serrano, a supporter of President Biden, told VOA.

"It's hard to watch someone lie to the American public on a regular basis. Biden is really showing concern for women's rights", Denis Campos, a supporter of President Biden from California, tells VOA.

"There are not many crimes committed by immigrants in this country. Former President Trump is only saying this to incite his supporters and create a xenophobic and racist country," Mark Ramos, chairman of the Democratic Party in Los Angeles, told VOA.

There are less than five months left until election day. Voters will have another opportunity to evaluate the candidates in the next debate, which is scheduled to be held on September 10./ Voa