Donald Trump and Joe Biden (or should that be Joe Biden and Donald Trump?) squared off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle. So much has been said since Thursday, but I wanted to let the dust settle a little to see what I thought of the notes I took while the debate was happening.

1, Biden appeared nervous at the outset. He spoke way too quickly in his opening spiel on the economy, barely pausing for breath. I could barely follow him – and I know the topic. Trump was a little slower and breathed a little. He was scowling though, and looked like his mug shot.

2. As expected, Trump was the more outrageous in his untruthfulness. For example, the United States does not pay billions for the release of hostages and terrorists are not pouring across US borders due to Biden’s policies. However, Biden seems so shocked by the lies that his rebuttals seemed weak.

3. The format, which Trump adhered to, actually seemed to help rein in his tendencies to go off track. On the split screen, showing how each man was reacting when the other was speaking, Trump looked like he was listening to his opponent, while Biden appeared to be staring off into space.

4. It was a lot more personal than I expected. These are two men who really don’t like each other. I had to wonder if that animosity was hurting their ability to respond coherently.

5. Donald Trump still doesn’t understand democracy. it is more than election day, it is about the peaceful transition of power and the graceful acceptance by the loser of the expression of the will of the people. It should disturb all Americans, including his supporters, that Trump doesn’t get that. He basically said he would accept the November election results only if he won.

6. Biden seemed comfortable in talking about the issues, even those on which his record is weak. Trump tried to steer the discussion to areas in which he could go on the attack.

7. The debate was centered on the past, not the future. Each man defended his record, but where were the new ideas? Americans were give lots of reasons why they should vote against one or the other of Biden or Trump. I didn’t hear any reasons to vote for them.