By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
The publicity surrounding the presidential debate between Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump was enormous. It was built like an Ali-Frazier fight or a Yankees and Red Sox baseball game.
The ink wasn’t dry before an- other column was written about this purportedly once in a life-time test of personalities and wills. You had to be on another planet with no internet not to know about it.
It is truly amazing how the media can call attention to an event. The host, CNN, was in a debate frenzy leading up to Thursday, June 27th. They had every per-spective and angle covered. According to reports, over 47 mil- lion people watched it.
The question at the podium is why did we tune in to watch it? I suspect the most plausible answer is that we watched for different reasons. So that I am out front, the debate didn’t change my mind.
I wasn’t undecided before the debate and the results didn’t sway me one scintilla. If anything, it only reaffirmed my choice of President Joe Biden. Know that I am voting completely and fully for him. I am all in and leaned in, too.
America, we are faced with a distinct choice. Do not let this debate fool you. On one side, you have Joe Biden, a man of integrity and on the other side you have Donald Trump, a person of convenience. President Biden is a man of principles and Mr. Trump is a person of privilege.
In Raleigh NC on Friday President Biden said, “Folks, I don’t walk as easy as I used to. I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong, and I know how to do this job.”
We know the debate wasn’t one of the President’s best nights. Former President Barack Obama said on a post on X, “Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November.”
One of my childhood friends remarked would you rather have a president with advanced age or a president who is an unmitigated liar? That choice should be easy for all of us.
The dust will settle on this debate yet the challenges that we face as a nation remain. Who are you going to trust?
It is my opinion Mr. Trump has not endeared himself to women. If you are one of the few women who consider him your choice, you should reconsider before it’s too late. He has already abrogated many of your rights.
If you are an independent voter, depend upon President Biden to deliver. He wants to improve the quality of our living. Don’t get caught up in Mr. Trump and his friends who are simply talking loudly and saying nothing. He doesn’t have one policy of substance that he can talk about and convince us. He is empty when it comes to talking about policies and positions. Our allies know that too.
If you are Black like me or Brown, wake up everybody, it’s time for thinking ahead. Joe Biden has a plan. Donald Trump has a plan for himself. Don’t let your family and friends steer you in the wrong direction. If so, you’ll be on a detour headed for a dead end.
Our vote is a vote for our ancestors who couldn’t vote because of the color of their skin. You and I stand on their shoulders. If not for them, where would we be?
Vote for President Joe Biden and keep democracy safe.
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a longtime educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
