The first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle drew a mix of praise, criticism and silence from elected officials in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with Democrats defending incumbent President Joe Biden’s poor performance, and Republicans touting former President Donald Trump’s strong showing.
Biden and Trump squared off Thursday night in the first of two presidential debates ahead of November’s pivotal election, trading barbs and insults over the economy, crime, abortion, gun control, immigration, border security and even their golf handicaps.
It was the first time in U.S. history a sitting president debated a former president, and comes just five months until Election Day and with voting already underway in some key states. The two men lobbed bitter taunts and personal insults at each other during the 90-minute CNN live-televised debate.
Massachusetts Democrats did their best to put a positive spin on the president’s awkward performance Thursday night, who at times seemed confused, rambled on and strayed from his answers, as Trump hammered away at him with a barrage of criticism over his tenure in office.
“The choice is clear. President Biden is a strong champion for working people who’s fighting to lower costs, restore abortion rights, & defend democracy,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., posted on X shortly after the debate. “Donald Trump is a convicted felon who wants to be a dictator on Day 1, give tax breaks to the rich, & rip away our freedom.”
Steve Kerrigan, chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, said viewers “didn’t just see two men from different parties, we saw two different realities.”
“The facts are that President Joe Biden cares about our future, our health care, our education, our economy, our safety, our veterans, our military, our allies and us,” Kerrigan said in a statement. “Donald Trump only cares about himself … full stop.”
“Our democracy is on the line this November and we won’t let extremists take away our rights or freedoms,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll posted Thursday night as the debate got underway. “I’m proud to stand with @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris to fight for equal rights and opportunities for all.”
But other top state Democrats, including members of the congressional delegation and Gov. Maura Healey — the party’s standard-bearer — declined to comment and didn’t immediately post any reaction to the debate Thursday night.
The state’s Republican Party pounced on Biden’s poor performance, saying it showed that the 81-year-old president is “unfit” for another four years in the White House.
“This debate should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans,” MassGOP said in a statement. “President Biden is clearly unfit to participate in a debate, let alone continue to lead our country as president of the United States. It is evident that President Biden lacks the cognitive ability required to fulfill the responsibilities of the presidency.”
The party’s statement said Trump “presented a clear and decisive message to tackle these pressing challenges and restore prosperity to our nation.”
“The difference in tonight’s debate was stark and genuinely concerning for the current state of our country, underscoring the need for new leadership in the White House,” the party said.
“Is this over yet??? Not just the debate … but does anyone actually have a question about which of these two will win in November?” former Massachusetts Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Nassour posted on social media less than an hour into the debate. “Embarrassing for the Dems … and just mean to put Biden out there.”
None of New Hampshire’s Democratic congressional delegation, including Biden surrogates Sens. Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, issued statements or social media posts on the presidential debate.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican who backed South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley over Trump in a contentious New Hampshire GOP primary, didn’t comment on Trump. He did, however, suggest that Biden’s performance backs his claims that he won’t end up being the Democratic Party’s nominee.
“A year ago I predicted that Joe Biden would not be the nominee in 2024,” Sununu sarcastically posted on social media Thursday night. “Believe me yet?”
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