Central Illinois officials share disappointment in debate, state parties continue to back candidates
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The presidential debate Thursday night sparked plenty of conversations about the two candidates at the top of the ticket.
Many of former president trumps claims about his offices’ success in areas like the economy, immigration, and foreign affairs were found to be false through independent fact checks.
The false claims made during Biden and Trump’s first debate
Meanwhile, president Biden’s performance has raised questions within his own party on whether he is ready for another term.
Local political officials in Central Illinois weren’t thrilled with the outcome of the debate either.
“Lets just answer the questions and move on,” Sangamon County Republican Precinct Committeeperson Brad Carlson said. “This is the presidency of the United States. People expect a lot more than I think we saw last night.”
Democrats were also critical of the night.
“It wasn’t a very good night for president Joe Biden. He was slow on his uptake,” Sangamon County Democratic Party Chair Bill Houlihan said. “He did get some points in on several issues and he looked good today at the rally in North Carolina. Right now, it is go as we go with 130 days until election day.”
Champaign County Democratic party chair Mike Ingram said the focus needs to go beyond the two that were on the stage.
“The largest thing is that we have to remember is that you’re not picking one person you’re literally picking every person that that person will appoint; you’re picking a cabinet, you’re picking chiefs of staff, you’re picking all sorts of things,” Ingram said.
Governor J.B. Pritzker stuck behind his candidate, saying Biden stuck to his message.
“At every turn, Donald Trump lied, rambled, and misled the American people about what a second Trump term would look like, but voters won’t be fooled,” Pritzker said.
Some republicans, meanwhile, latched onto Biden’s slip ups.
“President Donald Trump is the only candidate who can restore a prosperous America,” Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) said.
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