Love in Action : The First Presidential Debate

Love in Action : Week 9

LOVE IN ACTION : ALTERNATING WEDNESDAYS 12-1PM MST

Please join Lead with Love for zoom work session every other Wednesday that highlights current issues related to justice, freedom and climate change that need of our help. We will provide tangible actions and perform these efforts within the 1 hour meeting.

This week our efforts will focus on the first Presidential Debate.

We see civic engagement and democratic participation as a necessary form of self care and cultural wellness. As responsible citizens, we aim to stay informed about the platforms, policies and values of the candidates. Given the sensationalism and biases within the news media and the echo chambers of our social media, the debate is an opportunity for the candidates to break through the noise and speak off the cuff about their beliefs and plans. During this session, we will address whether they’ve done so effectively.

Besides the election and the battle between the parties that has become so rancor, these candidates are going to be presenting their goals and promises to the nation. This information will prepare us for what to expect from either candidate once they are elected. Our strategies for dealing with their plans can begin being developed as early as we understand them.

If you haven’t yet registered for Love in Action, please do so by clicking the button below.

Toolkit

Pen/Pencil
Paper/Journal
Computer with Email/Wifi
Phone

A Short History of Presidential Debates

The first general election presidential debate was held on September 26, 1960, between U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy, the Democratic nominee, and Vice President Richard Nixon, the Republican nominee.

At the outset, Nixon was considered to have the upper hand due to his knowledge of foreign policy and proficiency in radio debates. However, because of his unfamiliarity with the new format of televised debates, factors such as his underweight and pale appearance, his suit color blending in with the debate set background, and his refusal to use television makeup resulting in a five o'clock shadow, led to his defeat. Many observers have regarded Kennedy's win over Nixon in the first debate as a turning point in the election.

After the Kennedy–Nixon debates, it was 16 years before general election presidential candidates again debated each other face to face. Starting in 1976, we see the format we are familiar with today, with presidents debating each other several times along with one VP debate.

This Debate’s Topics

15 minutes are allotted per each topic

Trump’s and Biden’s records
the Supreme Court
the coronavirus pandemic
the economy
race and violence in cities
the integrity of the election

The Candidates Goals

Broadly:

biden (in the lead)
- Reassure voters based on forecast
- Confirm leadership as being in control
- Reveal plans - expand credibility beyond good nature
- Dispute conceptions of age
TRUMP (BEHIND)
- Disrupt momentum
- Change the narrative

What Polls Tell Us About Voters

Election 2020 : Major Themes

Science vs Skepticism
Empathy vs Rage
Stability vs Disruption
HealthCare : Right vs Privilege
Black Lives Matter vs Blue Lives Matter

Election 2020 : Top Issues

Economy (Clear number one issue)
Covid-19
Health Care
Racism
Immigration
Climate Change

This Unique Debate

Unlike previous debates that have at times reversed momentum in the political landscape, this debate has been expected to target enthusiasm for candidates rather than to target undecided voters.

The polls are showing that the electorate is more locked into place than in previous years and so the efforts from both parties are being developed around voter turnout. In particular, it’s understood that the voters who are tuning into the debate, are already interested enough in the election to have made their decision this year.

Perhaps the biggest effect on undecided voters will be the clips, soundbites and campaigns put forward on social media after the debate. Disinterested voters are more likely to be captured here than in any news media resources.

The preeminent factor in this election is the voter’s position on Donald Trump. A majority of voters appear to be either voting for Trump or against Trump.

Trump’s approval has been stuck around 43% despite monumental events and factors such as Covid-19, a civil-rights uprising, federal judge and supreme court appointments, record unemployment, and big gains on Wall Street.

8/10 voters are certain of the direction of their vote

3% of Likely Voters Are Still Undecided

59% of Biden voters choose Biden because "he's not Trump"

50% of All Voters Say They'd Never Vote For Trump

40% of All Voters Say They'd Never Vote For Biden

Issues Arising from this Cause

Democratic Participation
Bipartisan trends and rancor

Take Action

Check Your Registration

Even if you’ve already received a ballot in the mail, please take these 1-2 minutes to confirm that you are in fact registered. Your status or personal information may have changed without your knowledge and it’s important to keep checking to ensure your vote counts.

Research Down Ballot Candidates/Measures

We strongly encourage you to make sure you complete the entire ballot. Many of the values we wish to being into the public space are impacted by your local government including state and city representatives and judges.

You can use the tools at Ballot Ready to very simply discover what elections are happening in your area.

You will enter your address and it will generate your upcoming races and measures. You can click through to find more information on their site and we recommend making a list of the candidates and initiatives and doing some independent research on your own.

Can you commit to completing this task by the end of the week?

Ballot Ready Toolkit

Pledge to Vote Early

If your state allows early voting, can you take pledge to vote (down ballot too!!) early? Learn your state’s early voting rules HERE. Then take the pledge!

Become a Poll Worker

If you are young and healthy, please consider registering to become a poll worker. You will be amplifying your civic engagement (and it’s usually a paid position!) To learn more: click here