Body of the Article:
During a crucial time in American politics, two individuals took the spotlight: Former President Donald Trump, known for his unconventional style and unfiltered rhetoric, and President Joe Biden, a seasoned politician revered for his steady demeanor, but often criticized for his onstage struggles.
In their public appearances and interactions with the media, stark differences in their approach to answering, or often dodging, questions became abundantly clear. Trump was notorious for his art of evasion, skillfully avoiding answering a plethora of inquiries thrown at him, while Biden became the subject of attention and criticism for struggling with his onstage performance.
Trump’s ‘dodge and weave’ tactics were evident throughout his presidency. He was frequently seen bypassing complex questions through diversion or by launching into unrelated or controversial topics. A noticeable example was the manner in which he sidestepped queries about systemic racism and police brutality, instead choosing to talk about law and order. Similarly, he would expertly transform inquiries about climate change into discussions on American business prowess.
Stylistically, Trump often utilized sarcasm, hyperbole, or sweeping generalizations, transforming tough questions into rallying cries for his base. Such rhetorical tactics often resulted in an avoidance of direct answers and created distractions that superseded the topic at hand. This approach was on display during his presidency, whether in his interaction with journalists, during debates or on his controversial Twitter feed.
On the other side of the spectrum, Biden, who is known for his decades of service in American politics and his empathetic approach, seemed to struggle on stage. These struggles, more related to presentation rather than content, were highlighted during the debates and even at press conferences.
Biden’s struggles revolved around his difficulty articulating thought processes clearly and concisely, leading to misunderstanding or misconstruing of his intended messages. Critics referred to his instances of ‘losing his train of thought’ or ‘meandering around a point’. The President’s occasional stumbles and slips of the tongue have been attributed by some to his speech impediment, which he has fought throughout his life. Despite the struggles, Biden remained committed to answering questions presented to him. Instead of dodging prickly issues, Biden would often take the time to explore the topic in-depth, getting lost in the complexity but seldom running away from them.
Mainstream media showcased these distinctive methods employed by Trump and Biden. While one dodged an array of questions that implicated controversy, the other struggled to maintain a steady front while attempting to address each question in the fullest sense possible. Despite these struggles, both styles were seen to cater to their respective supporter bases.
In conclusion, the approach taken by both political figures is reflective not only of their individual communication skills but also of a broader arena of American politics. The ‘dodging’ and ‘struggling’ embody divergent ways in which politicians engage with the public, and this contrast will arguably continue to shape discourse in the political landscape.