Thursday night’s showdown between President Biden and Donald Trump, The Post consulted a panel of experts to discuss what went right — and very, very wrong — for each candidate. These statements have been edited for clarity and accuracy.
Editor’s note: After Thursday night’s showdown between President Biden and Donald Trump, The Post consulted a panel of experts to discuss what went right — and very, very wrong — for each candidate. These statements have been edited for clarity and accuracy.
Here’s what they had to say:
Doug Muzzio, retired public affairs professor, Baruch College:
“This was a disaster for Biden. Many Democrats are looking for a new candidate after this debate.
“Biden was tentative, rambling and sometimes incoherent.
“He literally froze on the Medicaid question. That was his worst moment.
“One of Biden’s better lines was saying Trump had the morals of an alley cat.
“Trump on the other hand, was clear and relatively coherent. He looked like he knew what he was talking about. Even though he repeatedly lied, he lies in an articulate way.
“The most ironic statement was Trump calling Biden a total liar. He was projecting his own behavior.
“But Biden was just awful — bumbling, stumbling, and inarticulate.”
Rob Ryan, GOP consultant, aide to former Gov. George Pataki:
“The worst moment for Biden was the initial shot of him and Trump side by side. It framed the whole debate.
“Biden looked washed out, had bad makeup and his voice was raspy. Trump had color in his face, looked and sounded vibrant. Trump looked and sounded 20 years younger.
“The second-worst moment for Biden was when he lost his train of thought about 10 minutes into the debate.
