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Lancing College hosted a US Presidential Debate in the run-up to the actual elections on 3 November. Three Joseph Bidens (Shirin M, Christina L and Felix I) took on three Donald Trumps (Barney H, Emily B - and Isac I with wig, orange make-up and a Secret Service Team) to fight it out in the Sanderson Room.
Topics debated were the economy, foreign policy, race protests and violence in US cities and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Both sides presented well-researched ideas and feisty criticisms of their opponents in a much more statesmen-like manner than the actual Presidential debates. The real entertainment began when the audience was invited to ask questions. Trump’s income tax returns came under fire as did Biden’s plan for economic recovery. The audience was not afraid to put the debaters on the spot and both teams deftly fielded questions about their respective sexual harassment charges and their overall fitness to run the country. Although the final floor vote went to Biden, the Trump side did a fantastic job of channelling the fierceness and the showmanship of their candidate.
The College will also hold a Presidential election vote on 3 November and I hope the debates provided an entertaining and informative way to evaluate each candidate’s policies.
Dr Elizabeth Keane, Head of Politics
Lancing’s 2020 Presidential Debate was a highly entertaining and informative evening. From cardboard standees, to Teme House's security guards, to passionate (and sometimes unanswerable) audience questions, the debate was far more informative than anything the actual candidates presented in their debate. Both teams of three presented speeches regarding a variety of topics, such as race protests, supreme court or the economy. Following this were audience floor questions regarding our proposals, which dissimilarly to the usual format of debating had to be answered on the spot – at times very difficult. However, both teams of candidates were very much prepared, and both sides gave out convincing, compelling arguments which led to a rather tight floor vote. It was overall an exhilarating and very enjoyable experience.
Shirin M, Lower Sixth