Presidential debate: Major blow for Biden?

Ivan Ivanov (English and French)

Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts

iivanov@uottawa.ca

Professor Ivanov's expertise includes public relations, communication studies and crisis management:

"The TV debate was unique in its nature. If experts and media believe Biden performed poorly, it is because, in communication, people tend to focus primarily on form rather than the content of what is said. In other words, audience paid attention less on what Biden said and more on how he said it. From this perspective, his performance was nearly disastrous. On the other hand, Trump, despite spreading numerous lies and disinformation, appeared confident and spoke without hesitation. He also appeared to be in better physical and mental condition. This clearly works in Trump's favor. After all, who would want to vote for a president who struggles to complete his sentences and loses track of his thoughts?"