It's very telling Trump is calling for debates. The candidate calling for debates is usually the one losing.
I don't know if it's a winning strategy, but I'm starting to think Biden should take a page from Katie Hobbs' playbook. She refused to give Kari Lake a forum to spew her nonsense and Democrats had a stroke, and she ended up winning.
Why should Biden give Trump the same platform, especially when live fact checking is impossible.
Do it with no audience in the room. I remember presidential debates back to JFK and Nixon in 1960. Let’s dignify these a little more as they should be. No interruptions and have the press ask the tough questions..
I agree - during the first 2020 general election debate, Chris Wallace checked Trump on some of his lies and he was livid during and after the debate. He tried to cover his rage by tweeting later. Trump also hid the fact that he was ALREADY sick with Covid at the time of the first debate. If Biden agrees, and I think that he will eventually, the Democrats need to watch that Trump adheres to the rules, or just maybe, Biden could rattle Trump's cage, by coming in with a scale, getting up on it and announcing his weight. Then challenge/demand Trump to do the same. Trump is going to do wacky things, why not put him on the defensive immediately?
There should be one requirement first - Trump must provide documented proof The 2020 election was stolen, and if he cannot, then have to state clearly there was not fraud in the last election which could have changed the outcome, and that Joe Biden is the legitimate President.
What's to debate? Trump will talk non-stop about nothing. Every word out of his mouth will be a lie. Moderators will have no idea of how to moderate. It will be a made for TV shit show. Why bother.
I actually think it's essential for Biden to debate. People need to see in unedited real time that, yeah Biden sometimes says Mexico when he means Egypt but you almost always know what he's trying to say. As opposed to Trump who is frequently incoherent live, ranting about windmills or his golf game.
I don’t think this is an issue right now. The debates are traditionally held in the Fall, so Biden’s campaign shooting down talk of them right doesn’t really mean much.
I also don’t know if debates would really help Trump. His debate performances in 2016 was widely regarded as poor, and his initial debate with Biden in 2020 was absolutely unhinged and probably cost him with voters. Seeing how Donald Trump is like 100% crazier than the last go-around, I’m not sure that debating Biden now would help him that much. There’s a good chance he just rambles and interrupts for two straight hours, just like last time. Also, Trump might be on trial by the time the debates roll around.
Trump will never debate anyone. Although he now states he wants to debate, when the time comes, he will find excuses not to—moderators are biased etc. Chris, you lean in on the “Biden is too old” trope, but you’re ignoring the fact that tfg is getting more and more detached from reality and coherence. He makes weird sounds during his speeches, confuses the names of other politicians and generally cannot remember anything that is not connected to him.
I agree - he will. Trump tried to beat up on Hunter Biden during the first 2020 debate, and Biden parried it well, by telling the audience that like many other people, his son had a substance problem. but the election was NOT about the Biden family or the Trump family (and their overseas deals_, but amount American families....
On the one hand we criticize the press for not covering Trump properly, in other words treating him as if he were a normal candidate. On the other hand there will be criticism of Biden if he refuses to debate. That seems inconsistent to me because agreeing to debate Trump would be treating him as if he were a normal politician running for the Presidency. He is not and Biden should avoid anything that gives the appearance that he considers Trump anything other than what he is, an autocratic wannabe and threat to the foundation of the country. Besides based on past experience with Trump and debates he can't behave himself and the aftermath will be more of is whining and complaining about the process being biased against him. I don't need to hear it!
I think Biden can handle it. But why would you give a rapist, grifter, insurrectionist and traitor to his oath and country a platform to project his lies, hate, grievance and opprobrium? The American people need less propaganda, not more. There are plenty of platforms on line for Trump's fascistic disinformation. If the moderators could silence the microphone when he begins his prevaricating, perhaps that would be enough.
The age discussion has a sort of mostly unspoken element about it, which is, if Biden succumbs to age while in office, is Kamala Harris as President a good idea? Polling shows she is more unpopular than Biden (unfairly IMHO). But that's the reality. Recent MAGA ads are exploiting this. It would take a miracle of persuasion and agreement amongst very strong willed persons, but I'd love to see Justice Sotomayor retire, Biden appoint Harris to the Supreme Court, and replace her at VP with someone like Duckworth or Witmer. A worthy female is still in line to be President, which is long overdue.
Biden should not agree to debate Trump. Biden’s forte is his mastery of the issues. Trump’s forte is his bullying and interrupting. Biden will not change any minds with his substantive responses because the MAGAs don’t listen or care. But Trump has made many a candidate look bad with his bullying … No. Debates. Biden should speak the truth: “My opponent wants to debate me so he can bully me to bulldoze the American people with lies and cheap shots about my stutter, or my family, or my age (which is much like my opponent’s). I’m going to tell you the truth here and now about things that matter and every time I speak. I don’t need a debate format to do that.”
Trump wants to debate because he lies constantly and it’s a very effective strategy, particularly with a weak moderator, which seems very likely. It’s almost impossible to deal with the old firehouse of lies tactics. Dealing with one lie, many more follow. And they will be personal attacks on Biden and his family. Trump knows Biden has too much class to respond the way you or I would, (calling him out in no uncertain terms). So yeah, there’s a reason you are not allowed to spew lies in any formal debate. They would kick Trump’s ass right out. So no debate.
Biden can certainly demur on debates until Trump picks a running mate. And that’s not official until the convention. And of course there’s the matter of 91 felony counts. Plenty of good excuses until late summer.
Lordy…posting a “matter’ that requires”attention” on “Truth” Social…very presidential. President Biden would savage Donald J Trump in a debate…Biden thinks on his feet, Trump doesn’t think at all. Biden will debate Trump when he wants to and where he wants to, it won’t be dictated by Donald. The Trump campaign will be all blustery debate-mongers until an attempt is made to actually schedule one..you’ll see the Trump campaign come up with a million reasons why Donald Trump can’t participate. If he does agree, watch the fella who can’t even read from a teleprompter without heading to crazy town try to freestyle it on a stage and get whupped by a guy three years older and with a much higher IQ., and whose cognition is reasonably intact. It would be a debate for the history books, if it ever happens.
It's very telling Trump is calling for debates. The candidate calling for debates is usually the one losing.
I don't know if it's a winning strategy, but I'm starting to think Biden should take a page from Katie Hobbs' playbook. She refused to give Kari Lake a forum to spew her nonsense and Democrats had a stroke, and she ended up winning.
Why should Biden give Trump the same platform, especially when live fact checking is impossible.
Do it with no audience in the room. I remember presidential debates back to JFK and Nixon in 1960. Let’s dignify these a little more as they should be. No interruptions and have the press ask the tough questions..
TOTALLY AGREE
And lies should be able to be fact-checked in real time, even if it interrupts a candidate’s answer. Lies should not be allowed to hang out unchecked
They’d have to interrupt the POS after every sentence!
Which might be quite illustrative and illuminating…
I agree - during the first 2020 general election debate, Chris Wallace checked Trump on some of his lies and he was livid during and after the debate. He tried to cover his rage by tweeting later. Trump also hid the fact that he was ALREADY sick with Covid at the time of the first debate. If Biden agrees, and I think that he will eventually, the Democrats need to watch that Trump adheres to the rules, or just maybe, Biden could rattle Trump's cage, by coming in with a scale, getting up on it and announcing his weight. Then challenge/demand Trump to do the same. Trump is going to do wacky things, why not put him on the defensive immediately?
The scale…..brilliant!!!
LoL - I mean Trump is so vain about his weight! Apparently, when out in public, he wears a girdle to push in his gut.
That strategy isn’t working too well……
There should be one requirement first - Trump must provide documented proof The 2020 election was stolen, and if he cannot, then have to state clearly there was not fraud in the last election which could have changed the outcome, and that Joe Biden is the legitimate President.
Result - no debate
I should have scrolled down before posting but totally agree. It's a foolproof way to call Trump out.
I should have read this before posting but totally agree. It's a foolproof way to call Trump out.
What's to debate? Trump will talk non-stop about nothing. Every word out of his mouth will be a lie. Moderators will have no idea of how to moderate. It will be a made for TV shit show. Why bother.
Agreed. We all know who these two men are. What's to debate?
I actually think it's essential for Biden to debate. People need to see in unedited real time that, yeah Biden sometimes says Mexico when he means Egypt but you almost always know what he's trying to say. As opposed to Trump who is frequently incoherent live, ranting about windmills or his golf game.
Thats an interesting -- and good -- thought.
I agree - the difference between what these two men know and how they comport themselves is quite strong. That difference works to Biden's advantage.
Trump still thinks Obama is President. I suspect he will make other obviously incompetent statements.
And Trump also sometimes say Nancy Pelosi when he meant to say Nikki Haley or Obama when he meant to say Biden etc
I don’t think this is an issue right now. The debates are traditionally held in the Fall, so Biden’s campaign shooting down talk of them right doesn’t really mean much.
I also don’t know if debates would really help Trump. His debate performances in 2016 was widely regarded as poor, and his initial debate with Biden in 2020 was absolutely unhinged and probably cost him with voters. Seeing how Donald Trump is like 100% crazier than the last go-around, I’m not sure that debating Biden now would help him that much. There’s a good chance he just rambles and interrupts for two straight hours, just like last time. Also, Trump might be on trial by the time the debates roll around.
from your lips to God's ears. Or better yet, in jail.
Trump will never debate anyone. Although he now states he wants to debate, when the time comes, he will find excuses not to—moderators are biased etc. Chris, you lean in on the “Biden is too old” trope, but you’re ignoring the fact that tfg is getting more and more detached from reality and coherence. He makes weird sounds during his speeches, confuses the names of other politicians and generally cannot remember anything that is not connected to him.
did you hear him say "Argentina is a great guy. He loves me so I love him". WTF😡
Why didn't somebody write about that? He thinks Argentina is a person??
Biden will win in any debate with Trump! !!!
Agree.
I agree - he will. Trump tried to beat up on Hunter Biden during the first 2020 debate, and Biden parried it well, by telling the audience that like many other people, his son had a substance problem. but the election was NOT about the Biden family or the Trump family (and their overseas deals_, but amount American families....
On the one hand we criticize the press for not covering Trump properly, in other words treating him as if he were a normal candidate. On the other hand there will be criticism of Biden if he refuses to debate. That seems inconsistent to me because agreeing to debate Trump would be treating him as if he were a normal politician running for the Presidency. He is not and Biden should avoid anything that gives the appearance that he considers Trump anything other than what he is, an autocratic wannabe and threat to the foundation of the country. Besides based on past experience with Trump and debates he can't behave himself and the aftermath will be more of is whining and complaining about the process being biased against him. I don't need to hear it!
That's the hypocrisy for you right there AJ
But they won't admit it . They keep saying that they are independent and objective
Where were those anxious to see Biden debate Trump when Trump refused to debate his Republican Challengerd? Double standard here
Great point !
I think Biden can handle it. But why would you give a rapist, grifter, insurrectionist and traitor to his oath and country a platform to project his lies, hate, grievance and opprobrium? The American people need less propaganda, not more. There are plenty of platforms on line for Trump's fascistic disinformation. If the moderators could silence the microphone when he begins his prevaricating, perhaps that would be enough.
Since 2/25/2024,12 days ago, Chris Cilliza has discussed Biden's age some 8 times. FYI.
Exactly right -- Chris is obsessed with Biden's age (but somehow not obsessed with Trump's obvious mental incapacity -- why is that?).
Doc, you really need a more fun hobby. ;-)
The age discussion has a sort of mostly unspoken element about it, which is, if Biden succumbs to age while in office, is Kamala Harris as President a good idea? Polling shows she is more unpopular than Biden (unfairly IMHO). But that's the reality. Recent MAGA ads are exploiting this. It would take a miracle of persuasion and agreement amongst very strong willed persons, but I'd love to see Justice Sotomayor retire, Biden appoint Harris to the Supreme Court, and replace her at VP with someone like Duckworth or Witmer. A worthy female is still in line to be President, which is long overdue.
Biden should not agree to debate Trump. Biden’s forte is his mastery of the issues. Trump’s forte is his bullying and interrupting. Biden will not change any minds with his substantive responses because the MAGAs don’t listen or care. But Trump has made many a candidate look bad with his bullying … No. Debates. Biden should speak the truth: “My opponent wants to debate me so he can bully me to bulldoze the American people with lies and cheap shots about my stutter, or my family, or my age (which is much like my opponent’s). I’m going to tell you the truth here and now about things that matter and every time I speak. I don’t need a debate format to do that.”
Trump wants to debate because he lies constantly and it’s a very effective strategy, particularly with a weak moderator, which seems very likely. It’s almost impossible to deal with the old firehouse of lies tactics. Dealing with one lie, many more follow. And they will be personal attacks on Biden and his family. Trump knows Biden has too much class to respond the way you or I would, (calling him out in no uncertain terms). So yeah, there’s a reason you are not allowed to spew lies in any formal debate. They would kick Trump’s ass right out. So no debate.
Biden can certainly demur on debates until Trump picks a running mate. And that’s not official until the convention. And of course there’s the matter of 91 felony counts. Plenty of good excuses until late summer.
Lordy…posting a “matter’ that requires”attention” on “Truth” Social…very presidential. President Biden would savage Donald J Trump in a debate…Biden thinks on his feet, Trump doesn’t think at all. Biden will debate Trump when he wants to and where he wants to, it won’t be dictated by Donald. The Trump campaign will be all blustery debate-mongers until an attempt is made to actually schedule one..you’ll see the Trump campaign come up with a million reasons why Donald Trump can’t participate. If he does agree, watch the fella who can’t even read from a teleprompter without heading to crazy town try to freestyle it on a stage and get whupped by a guy three years older and with a much higher IQ., and whose cognition is reasonably intact. It would be a debate for the history books, if it ever happens.