Los Angeles Times

Mark Z. Barabak: Biden bumbles, Trump lies and we all lose

US President Joe Biden looks on as he participates in the first presidential debate of the 2024 elections with former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at CNN's studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27, 2024.

There were many firsts attending Thursday night's mud wrestle between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

It was the earliest presidential debate in history. The first between two candidates of such a ripe age. The only one ever pitting the occupant of the Oval Office against the man he ousted.

But for anyone who's paid even passing attention to politics over the last four ill-tempered years, the spite-filled session in Atlanta had the familiar, unhappy feel of a nagging injury.

The bombast. . The obvious, abundant contempt between

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