Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Hell hath no fury like a farmer bankrupted.

If you thought you’d already seen people saying the stupidest things possible on the internet, prepare yourselves.

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

Sometimes the world just tells you your cat is here.

If ‘weird’ was the finish line, they ran through the tape and kept running.

Boeing: repeatedly making the case for high speed rail.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires Republicans to act in good faith.

Innocent people do not delay justice.

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

Republicans in disarray!

Trump’s cabinet: like a magic 8 ball that only gives wrong answers.

I’m starting to think Jesus may have made a mistake saving people with no questions asked.

Polls are now a reliable indicator of what corporate Republicans want us to think.

GOP baffled that ‘we don’t care if you die’ is not a winning slogan.

Their boy Ron is an empty plastic cup that will never know pudding.

Let’s bury these fuckers at the polls 2 years from now.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

Every decision we make has lots of baggage with it, known or unknown.

Many life forms that would benefit from greater intelligence, sadly, do not have it.

… gradually, and then suddenly.

Republicans: “Abortion is murder but you can take a bus to get one.” Easy peasy.

I might just take the rest of the day off and do even more nothing than usual.

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

You are here: Home / Politics / America / The First 2020 Presidential Debate Live Feed and Open Thread

The First 2020 Presidential Debate Live Feed and Open Thread

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Here’s a live feed from PBS:

C-SPAN is not providing an embed link.

Here’s USA Today’s debate bingo card:

The First 2020 Presidential Debate Live Feed and Open Thread

And finally, this pretty much sums up my view of tonight’s debate.

Open thread!

Reader Interactions

424Comments

  2. 2.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    CNN is going on endlessly regarding the “undecided voter”.

    If you’re undecided, you’ve either got mush for brains or are lying to yourself about your Trump support.

  3. 3.

    sdhays

    I’d rather catheterize myself with a rusty lemon zester in the back seat of a Kia driven by Prince Phillip

    I can’t stand it when you beat around the bush. Tell us your real feelings!

  9. 9.

    Mary G

    Not proud of it, but I want to watch the way people slow down and stare at a car wreck to see if there’s blood.

  11. 11.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes:
    You should have been watching MSNBC. Hillary was on, and she was good.

    And of course there’s the Terrific Trio of Rachel, Nicolle, and Joy. I said it during the conventions, and I’ll say it again: I wish MSNBC’d give these ladies their own weekly show. They’re so great together.

  14. 14.

    Baud

    @SiubhanDuinne: It was nice.

    They had Kornacki on after.  It’s so weird that Joe is doing worse than Hillary with black and Latino voters.  But the heartland whites love him.

  15. 15.

    Mike in NC

    Gonna take a hard pass on looking at Fat Bastard’s rotten, bloated pumpkin-colored face and grating monotone voice.

  16. 16.

    PsiFighter37

    Wife made me put on the debate. I want to punch Van Jones so hard. What a fucking sellout and moron.

    David Axelrod’s haircut looks as bad as Trump’s.

  20. 20.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    I hate the national broadcast media.

    They all need the Boston Globe treatment from Handmaid’s Tale.

  21. 21.

    Ohio Mom

    I am having flashbacks to the debates of four years ago. I keep seeing Trump follow and stalk Hillary. I keep hearing Hillary saying ALL the parts out loud — “He pays no taxes,” He’s Putin’s puppet” are the two that come to mind right now.

    I thought those debates were fine performance art — how could that man, making such a fool of himself, win? Now I know he can. I won’t be mordantly amused this time, I’ll be a ball of anxiety.

  23. 23.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    Doing more important stuff. Watching Canadians bake bread.

    When we ran out of British Baking Shows, I went online looking to see what other countries got the baking show franchise, and found this guy who had archived every single English-language GBBO spinoff in the world.

  25. 25.

    dmsilev

    I have the Post’s stream open on another tab, and one of the reporters pointed out that this might be the first time that the Trump family in the audience are wearing masks (because they’re required to be allowed into the hall).

  35. 35.

    mali muso

    I can’t stand to hear or see that evil fascist for a single second, so will be consuming the debate second-hand via Balloon Juice.  Prepping my sourdough starter for a bake tomorrow.

  38. 38.

    Adam L Silverman

    Good start by Biden. He said “how are you, man?” Not “how are you, Mr. President?” Well done!

  40. 40.

    Emma from FL

    According to Wonkette, Trump’s campaign sent out an email supposedly from him saying he had finished debating and he won! Does anyone know if there are Democratic agents planted in the operation?

  41. 41.

    jl

    I haven’t followed the pre-debate surrogate BS much, but from what I’m reading, Trump has set the bar so if Biden remembers his name, the date and why everyone is gathered there in the hall, and I suppose what the presidency is, then Biden wins, big time: he wins bigly.

  43. 43.

    opiejeanne

    @SiubhanDuinne: I love Nicole Wallace. That’s something I never thought I’d say, but she has spit the hook, horked up the KoolAid, and I don’t think she’s ever going back.

  49. 49.

    Kay

    Tyler Pager
    @tylerpager
    An observation from inside the debate hall: Everyone in Biden’s side of the hall is wearing a mask. More than half on Trump’s side, including his four children, are not wearing masks. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s a requirement that all guests wear masks.

    Because they’re special.

  57. 57.

    namekarB

    Love this quip from over at LGM

     Speaking of principles, political debates in general and presidential debates in particular are incredibly stupid, for reasons that are too obvious to elaborate. Anybody who is watching this thing to help them decide who to vote for should not vote, or, ideally, reproduce.

    I could not agree less (more?). Presidential Debates have never been “debates.” They serve no real purpose at generating support. If such debate has any purpose it is to woo the the press, which is owned in whole by  our corporate overlords.

  59. 59.

    dmsilev

    Trump: “We nominate a justice because we can”. Nothing at all about what issues she’d rule on.

    Biden: “Voters should decide. The nominee will destroy Obamacare”.

  63. 63.

    jl

    @sdhays: All the odd numbers are fake news Deep State numbers. Funded by Soros. Many people have told me this, but privately because they would be persecuted if it got out they told me.

  66. 66.

    Percysowner

    I tried. I turned it on. I listened to Chris Wallace, then I saw Trump’s face and bailed. I’m taping it in case anything good happens, but otherwise I’ll just follow some liveblogs.

  82. 82.

    jl

    @Percysowner: Me too. I’m not even up for live reading live blogs. The whole thing is just too creepy. I’ll read up on the events later. Good luck everyone.

    Maybe BJ should put up a post on how many commenters who tried to get through it live need welfare checks? I’ll look in later and will help on that if I can. God knows what shape I’ll be in after just reading the after reports.

  87. 87.

    Nutmeg again (formerly MoxieM)

    I wish they would cut the orange Buffoon’s mic when he talks out of turn. Nothing else will mute him.

  89. 89.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Baud:

    It’s so weird that Joe is doing worse than Hillary with black and Latino voters.  But the heartland whites love him.

    Wait, what?

  101. 101.

    MisterForkbeard

    @RaflW: This was actually the thing I was most worried about. Trump lies, breaks rules, and yells over people. And Biden will have a hard time with it if he can’t get Wallace to enforce the rules.

    Honestly, it might be better if Biden just said. “I’ve been interrupted by this idiot repeatedly in violation of the rules he agreed to. Because like everything he does, Trump just lies constantly about what he’ll do.  And if Fox won’t moderate their own debate and follow their own rules, I don’t see why I’m even here. Fox, keep your candidate under control or I’m out.

    You can have five minutes to figure out a solution.”

  113. 113.

    MisterForkbeard

    @Adam L Silverman: Maybe that’s just the right response. “This asshole can’t even keep his trap shut for 2 minutes because he insists on being the center of attention at all times. Explains a lot, doesn’t it?” And then point a big shit-eating grin at Trump.

  117. 117.

    Morzer

    Trump’s just vomiting out lies and nonsense and appears to be debating Wallace as to who is moderating this debate-like product.

  119. 119.

    SiubhanDuinne

    JFC. We’re 15 minutes in and it’s already a goat rodeo train wreck clusterfuck. I’m going to have no liver by the time this is over.

  122. 122.

    Elizabelle

    This could be helpful, with Trump calling Obamacare a disaster over and over.

    CUT TRUMP’S MIKE.

  127. 127.

    Morzer

    I will say that Trump isn’t going to win anyone over with this projectile-vomiting of abusive nonsense.

  132. 132.

    trnc

    @Quinerly: Yeah, it might run me out. When they do the tv ratings, do they just give one number or do they show the numbers at the beginning and the end? Cuz I have a feeling it’ll be way different.

  139. 139.

    ...now I try to be amused

    Trump: “For 47 years you’ve done nothing.” I assume he’s talking about 1933-1980. Christ.

  143. 143.

    MisterForkbeard

    @Elizabelle: They’re going to have to. They’ll have to cut his mic for “egregiously breaking the rules and not shutting up for 45 seconds to let anyone else talk”.

    Otherwise, I don’t see how it goes on.

  148. 148.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Baud:

    Not watching. Can’t stomach it. Did Biden actually just tell Trump to shut up?! Yes! That’s how you handle an asshole like Trump

  152. 152.

    Quinerly

    @trnc: I don’t have enough cheap Aldi’s wine for this. I was saving my good stuff for election night. This is going to get ugly.

  153. 153.

    Sister Golden Bear

    Holy fucking shit. I tried watching it, but with Trump’s non-stop interruptions, it’s an unwatchable clusterfuck.

    Thank you for those who are watching so I don’t have to. And definitely buy Hoarse Whisper a drink or two, or three, or four. Massive quantities of alcohol are going to be needed to make it to the end.

  156. 156.

    stinger

    This is insane, but I’ll keep watching just in hopes that Biden calls him a clown again and tells him to shut up again, and looks right at the camera again and says “I’m not going to answer that stupid question, but you folks need to go VOTE.”

  158. 158.

    Fair Economist

    Ugh, Nate Silver has become such a villager:

    It’s also one of the more perfunctory and predictable questions on the list, Micah. Which I guess is fine if each candidate needs time to rev up. But it feels a bit anticlimactic; they’re sticking to the script.

    200,000 dead? Democracy at stake? A half TRILLION dollar slush fund that’s disappeared? Who cares, what matters is that the debate be exciting!

  164. 164.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    @Professor Bigfoot: I’m reading that he just did. The quote I’m seeing on the Wonkette live blog is “Will you shut up, man?”

    @Sab: Those shows are maybe 5% about the baking. We aren’t reality show watchers, I am absolutely not a baker, never watched any kind of cooking show and I couldn’t figure out the appeal either, but people kept talking about this damned thing so I watched one show.

    Suckered in immediately. Totally addicted.

  165. 165.

    Elizabelle

    Like we have an accurate count of deaths in this country.

    Trump is such a liar.  The Gish Gallop.

  169. 169.

    stinger

    Now Joe looks like he’s not even listening to the barrage of lies on his right. He’s just waiting for it to end.

  170. 170.

    Elizabelle

    Fake news.

    Trump:  You could have never have done the job we did.

    That is beyond true.

    Swine flu!  Was that on the bingo card?

  174. 174.

    Wyatt Salamanca

    Trump should be wearing a shock collar.  He’s completely out of control and acting as if he’d been bitten by a rabid dog.

  177. 177.

    Jinchi

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Not watching. Can’t stomach it.

    I’m not watching either. I can’t even stand to listen to late night comics parodying Trump’s voice. I’m a firm believer that he is a living example of the Billy Madison quote:

    At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it.

    We should probably take up a collection for the brave souls who are willing to look into the abyss and report back to us.

  180. 180.

    MisterForkbeard

    @Elizabelle: That’s probably the right response. “You’re damn right I wouldn’t have done the job you did. We’d have a lot more Americans alive, the economy would be in better shape and our schools would be open nationwide because I wouldn’t spend 10 hours a day watching Fox News and tweeting.”

  185. 185.

    trnc

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Do you think he’ll realize if his mic is cut and if he does he’ll storm off the stage in a huff? Can’t think of a better visual

    He won’t leave. “They were so scared I was winning, they cut off my mic.” He’d martyr the shit out of it.

  193. 193.

    Emma from FL

    Did Joe just told him to get out of the bunker? According to a couple of commenters on Wonkette, Joe is just batting Trump around with a smile.

  194. 194.

    Elizabelle

    @MisterForkbeard:   I wish Biden had taken that tack.

    Trump is fantasy land.  Will be interesting to see the numbers later in the week.

    Although:  BLUE WAVE.  Vote, vote, vote, vote.

  198. 198.

    different-church-lady

    You know what’s amazing? No matter what we see, the press will find some stupid little thing nobody else noticed and that will become the entire narrative about this debate.

  199. 199.

    Morzer

    I think Trump’s rambling, obviously dishonest assholery isn’t going to win anyone over who wasn’t already a Trumper. After hearing a few minutes of Trump I find myself wishing I were on drugs.

  200. 200.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    So tomorrow’s headlines are going to be about how Joe was uncivil, then? And Trump wins on niceness points for not saying shut up back?

  202. 202.

    debbie

    Twitter is freaking out, but then, no one’s ever really been able to control Trump. Not even Putin.

  203. 203.

    Amir Khalid

    I’m watching the CNN livestream on YouTube for as long as I can take it. My impression so far: Wallace keeps telling Trump to shut up and let Biden speak. Trump keeps ignoring him and interrupting Biden. Trump himself lies every time he opens his mouth.

  205. 205.

    stinger

    Yeah yeah yeah, go Joe, talk to US not to that interrupting clown (who referenced “Pocahontas” a few minutes ago).

  207. 207.

    Coolg

    If Trump keeps talking over Biden, Joe should ask Wallace if this is a debate or are you looking to turn it into a fist fight. Wallace is a fail.

  208. 208.

    Sister Golden Bear

    Good summary from Hoarse:

    Trump is just spewing bullshit like the dumbest kid in high school who just snorted six crushed up No-Doz.

    And an astute observation:

    We’ll see where this goes from here but I think we just reached a fork in the road. Trump was trying to push Biden’s buttons. Joe was roused to irritation briefly. And now he’s laughing at Trump like he is a toddler behaving badly. Biden is getting his legs under him.

    Like all narcissists, Trump is utterly reliant on the other person showing emotion. A person who goes “gray rock” and shows none is their kryptonite. If Biden stays unflappable, this will be a long night for Trump.

  210. 210.

    EmanG

    I’m sorry, this is just a shit show. I have love for Joe B but I wish he could finish a thought. I know he has it straight but when he sets up a great argument he starts telling an unrelated story. Luckily Trump is coming off as the lying fucko that he is. Force of will is not enough and also, such an asshole.

  211. 211.

    Elizabelle

    Smart?  Trump is talking about smart?

    Joe:  “Oh give me a break.”

    Trump talking about the greatest economy in history.  Such shit.

  212. 212.

    senyordave

    @Quinerly:

    I don’t think I have ever hated a human being as much as I hate Trump.

    Truer words never spoken.  Nothing bad could happen to him that would make me feel sorry for him.  I have more positive feelings for serial murderers than I do for Trump

  214. 214.

    Leto

    Glad that Trumpov is talking about what he’ll do with covid with bragging about his big brain. I mean… AND WE HAVE AN HOUR LEFT!

    Just shush for a minute; Lolol

  218. 218.

    low-tech cyclist

    @West of the Cascades:Fuck Trump and any moderator who lets him talk over Biden’s answers.

    I tuned in about 10 minutes after your comment, and Wallace was still letting Trump talk over Biden’s answers.

    Biden’s a better man than I am.  If Trump kept it up, I’d threaten to come over there and break his mic.

  222. 222.

    Elizabelle

    @Sister Golden Bear:   Thank you, SGB.  Link for Hoarse Whisperer??

    Was Nancy Pelosi on the Bingo card?

    Trump just suggested Joe plays more golf than Trump does.  He said that.

    This is only playing with MAGATs, is my take.

    It’s debating the fifth grade bully.  Who is the Simpsons bully??

  224. 224.

    mad citizen

    Is there a petition we can sign to stop having the other two debates, along with the VP debate?  This is ridiculous.  I imagine we are the world’s laughingstock.

  225. 225.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    If this is how Trump is going to act during all of the debates, I’m not sure Biden should bother after tonight. Nobody sane would blame him

  229. 229.

    trnc

    @Coolg: Joe should ask Wallace if this is a debate or are you looking to turn it into a fist fight. Wallace is a fail.

    I’m not sure what Wallace can do to shut DT up.

  231. 231.

    ninerdave

    Is there any reason why Biden shouldn’t just tell the Orange Filibuster to fuck off and blow off the next two debates?

  236. 236.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @trnc:

    Cut his microphone when he won’t STFU. Let him play the martyr. It will only fly with his brain dead base

  239. 239.

    different-church-lady

    Is the second debate still one where they get to roam about on stage? I predict Trump looms up behind Biden and Joe swings around and cold-cocks him.

  242. 242.

    dnfree

    This is ludicrous. Not a single question has been answered. They should cut the microphone of whoever interrupts, which would mostly be Trump. The moderator is worse than ineffective.  It’s appalling.

  243. 243.

    Kay

    My high schooler just said “I think, legally, no one over the age of 60 should hold public office”

    I love “legally”

  245. 245.

    trnc

    @mad citizen: I think the VP debate will actually be much more worthwhile. Pence will lie, but he doesn’t have DT’s schtick so he probably won’t just word diarrhea all over Harris’ time.

  246. 246.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    @Kay: You don’t think the pundits would take it that far?

    OK, maybe “both sides showed unusual incivility.”

    Edit: I see someone on Wonkette posted Breitbart’s headlines.

    “Trump dominates early stages”

    “Tough guy Joe keeps telling to shut up, calls president clown” (is that supposed to be bad?)

    “Trump puts Joe on defense over alliance with the left”

  247. 247.

    Salty Sam

    That’s it. I’m done. Tappin’ out.

    As Popeye says, “That’s all I kin stands, I can’t stands no more…”

  254. 254.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    I am watching at Sighthound Hall with Bro’ Man and a couple of others. It’s killing me. I realize that I prefer watching at home and venting on the keyboard. I feel like I’m building up a ball of rage that I can’t dispel.

    My takeaway so far: Trump is a colossal, mean-spirited asshole. Not news, but he’s really putting it on display.

  255. 255.

    Leto

    Glad Chris Wallace is just letting him spew hate speech with China plague, and Pocahontas earlier. JFC.

    Also the difference between someone who will buy a tailored suit v Wal-Mart special is always striking. Also helps that Biden doesn’t look like 330lbs in a 10lbs sack.

  256. 256.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @dmsilev:

    The town hall format? That’s the one Trump didn’t do so well in. I hope they take questions from the audience

  266. 266.

    Elizabelle

    @Salty Sam:   You know, that might be Trump’s game plan.

    Drive viewers away, and they don’t get to see Biden at all.

    Missed a bunch cuz a friend called.  But:  have not really missed anything, no??

  269. 269.

    MazeDancer

    Maybe Trump is trying to get Mr. Biden to refuse to debate him again.

    I had to stop listening.

    Pretty sure Trump’s repulsive bullying is not bringing back the suburban housewives.

  270. 270.

    ...now I try to be amused

    @senyordave:

    I don’t think I have ever hated a human being as much as I hate Trump.

    Trump might not have every human vice, but he has no human virtues at all. NONE. It’s amazing. It’s like his parents set out to raise the perfect shit, and they succeeded.

  272. 272.

    Amir Khalid

    @Kay:

    Wallace has no control over Trump’s atrocious conduct and persistent lying. He’s not up to moderating this debate.

    I don’t think it’s possible to moderate a debate with Trump participating unless you publicly threaten to cut his mic when he speaks out of turn, and actually do it.

  275. 275.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Avalune: I lived in Scotland for 3 and 1/2 years less than a 3/4 mile walk from the Royal and Ancient and I was a Bobby Jones Scholar/Fellow and I didn’t golf as much as Trump.

    Actually, I think I golfed twice in my 3 and 1/2 years there. I haven’t played in over 20 years.

  277. 277.

    Grover Gardner

    Utterly useless, a travesty of a debate.  Designed for the bully.  Doesn’t matter, it won’t change anyone’s mind.  Either voters are energized against Trump’s fascism or they’re not.

  279. 279.

    wuzzat

    @Aleta:  You’re assuming Trump cares about being called a bully and that he knows what the word “infantile” means. I doubt either of those is true.

    On the other hand, answering his attacks with variations of “Tough talk from a guy who’s a billion dollars in debt” would hit cheeto mussolini in his ego.

  281. 281.

    Leto

    @Mary G: Don’t think anyone except Fox bots really thought that. Sure, he asked some tough questions once but with just this debate he can’t even enforce the 2 min rule. Just let trumpov get in another word salad response when they were supposed to move on.

  285. 285.

    Elizabelle

    @Sister Golden Bear:   Thank you.

    Trump dumping on NYC.  Cuomo.

    Fuck Trump fuck Trump.

    Trump brought back football.  Ohio is very proud of him.

    Trump’s economic plan IS football.

     

    $750!!

  287. 287.

    NoraLenderbee

    the tax question. “I paid millions of dollars income tax”

     

    It’s Biden’s fault for giving us depreciation and tax breaks

  288. 288.

    Elizabelle

    Joe:  Show us your tax returns.

    Trump:  You’ll see it as soon as it’s finished.

    Claims to be underleveraged.  “The assets are extremely good.”

    Jesus.

  291. 291.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @EmanG:

    Josh Barro @jbarro·3m
    By the way, I would note that Biden is handling this just fine, and that your twitter feed is composed entirely of people who did not understand Biden’s appeal in the primary, plus me.

    To which I would add: In my adult lifetime this country has elected four Republican presidents, two of them for two terms, none of whom could speak a fully coherent paragraph of English, even a short one, without a script.

  296. 296.

    ...now I try to be amused

    @Sister Golden Bear:

    He’s got some of the best insights into narcissists that I’ve seen—apparently from long first-hand experience, although I don’t know the details.

    The Hoarse Whisperer was married to a toxic narcissist. Now he’s divorced from one.

  300. 300.

    EmanG

    Jesus, Biden has so many lay ups here: “Who developed the economy you inherited? Who helped set that up, me! What’s happened to it under your watch? I helped give you the greatest economic expansion after a recession ever, what have you done with what I gave you?” Godammit who prepped him?

  303. 303.

    Elizabelle

    Biden:  “You are the worst President America has ever had.”

    Trump says he’s done more than Biden has in 47 years.

    Wallace:  Big taxes, big spending.

    For fuck’s sake, has he paid any attention to Trump’s record??

  306. 306.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: I’m sure he plays. No one in his generation of high level politicians, especially the white male ones, could get away with not playing. But I’ve never seen any indication that he plays a lot.

  307. 307.

    The Thin Black Duke

    From what I’m hearing from you folks, I think Biden is handling it perfectly. The idiots who want to see two guys yelling at each other don’t want a debate between two presidential candidates, they want wrestling.

  308. 308.

    Ivan X

    I’m just sitting in the hot tub at my temporary home, drinking gin and Campari, with thumping psychedelic tunes in my noise cancelling ear pods, reading what you all have to say. I can’t take being on the spectator front lines. Life is good, I am blessed, i am fortunate, I am privileged, Covid be damned, Trump be damned, i will keep reminding myself of this. God or FSM bless us all, and the United States of America. I’m not saying that mockingly.

  309. 309.

    different-church-lady

    @Spanky: It’s pretty simple actually: just run your finger up and down over the lips in the “brbrbrbrbrbrbrbrb” motion.

  310. 310.

    Morzer

    To be fair to Wallace, he has tried to make Trump stay in his lane. I don’t think Trump is helping himself by trying to shout Wallace down and blatantly evading the questions.  Biden is talking to the American people, while Trump is just trying to interrupt and lie and bully.  This is a hideous, exhausting event, but I don’t see how it helps Trump in any way.  I suspect that it’s helping Biden, is anyone. Remember that a draw is a win for Decent, Honest Joe.

  315. 315.

    Morzer

    @ezraklein

    Trump is forcing an unwatchable debate, in which he plays the heel so Biden can’t get in a full answer, in an election where he’s down 10 points. It’s an insane strategy.

  316. 316.

    jonas

    Wow. Just dropping in here after doing some other stuff this evening and from what I gather here and on my Twitter feed, Trump’s approach to this august occasion has basically been to drop his trousers, take a huge dump on the stage, and proceed to fling said waste at Wallace and Biden in turn, depending on who’s agitating him more.

    His base thinks this is “pwning the libs”. Sane humans think it’s a sign his family needs to intervene and get him the help he needs.

    And the *truly insane* part is that this won’t move the polls. one. inch.

  320. 320.

    luc

    Biden is not good this evening, unfortunately.

    He should have his talking points ready and poignant for the few seconds that he has the time to talk.

  324. 324.

    Grover Gardner

    I’m trying to think of a Democrat who could face this down.  Bill Clinton probably could have owned the room and kept it.  Bernie Sanders *might* have held his own.  But Kennedy?  Carter?  Forget it.  Joe won’t go for the jugular, but what’s the point?

  327. 327.

    nonrev

    Just turned the debate off. Hard core progressive here. We knew what to expect from Trump so his antics are not surprising. What is disappointing to me is that Bidens responses and ability to score is weak. Wallace frequently loses control also… which plays to Trumps strengths. I expect the talking heads will rule this debate a tie unless one or the other strikes a real blow…. anyway, I’ve seen enough

  328. 328.

    mad citizen

    Biden should simply continue point out the raving bullshit artist, a spewing con artist with no manners or respect for any fucking one

     

    Might have to bail.

  329. 329.

    Leto

    I’m not going to watch the next two debates because there’s simply no point. I don’t even want to watch the clips, don’t even want to read transcripts. This is just shit. It’s worse than shit. It’s Trump.

  332. 332.

    trnc

    @Morzer: I hope you’re right. I think Joe is doing pretty well with the parade of bullshit, but I’m a bit concerned that DT will be seen by some the same way they saw Reagan when he wouldn’t shut the hell up.

  339. 339.

    nonrev

    @luc: amen.   Biden is weak IMO, hopefully he will stop chuckling at Trumps attacks and lies soon.  Ditto the head shaking

  340. 340.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @EmanG: Would that be the Senator Warren who didn’t win a single primary and finished third in her home state, which went to a guy who didn’t even have an office open there? What was his name again?

  341. 341.

    trnc

    @EmanG: I wish to my soul that Senator Warren had a chip that controlled Biden’s mouth.

    YES! I supported her in the primaries, but I totally understand why Biden is the nominee. However, there is no one better than Warren at shutting down the spew.

  343. 343.

    Adam L Silverman

    @The Thin Black Duke: He’s doing fine. Part of the audio-visual play is how this plays with women. Regardless of race, ethnicity, and/or religion. The President is presenting as every obnoxious, controlling asshole that every woman knows or dated or was/is married too.

  344. 344.

    Wyatt Salamanca

    @Morzer:

    I agree with Ezra. Trump is a knuckle dragging neanderthal incapable of comprehending anything.

    Trump needs to be placed in a straitjacket and carted off to the nearest psych ward and Chris Wallace is beyond pathetic.

  345. 345.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Adam L Silverman: every asshole boss, especially the ones who took over the business from their father and ran it into the ground

    every bellowing bully at the HOA, PTA or whatever meeting

  347. 347.

    trnc

    @mad citizen: I support Biden walking out right now.

    “If Joe Biden can’t stand up to DT, …” would be the headline everywhere. It’s ridiculous, but dealing with this crap is part of the job interview.

  349. 349.

    James E Powell

    @Adam L Silverman:

    The President is presenting as every obnoxious, controlling asshole that every woman knows or dated or was/is married too.

    That’s how he locks down the white male, no college, 30-55 demo.

  352. 352.

    EmanG

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Yeah, the one than can make a cogent argument! I’m 100% pro Joe, but I wish he could make more immediate arguments. Also, Trump just said that the African Americans love him more so, godammit what do words mean anymore?

  353. 353.

    eddie blake

    wow. why can’t biden say the words, “law enforcement”?!?

    tang the conqueror is mad as a fucking hatter.

  354. 354.

    Ivan X

    Based on the comments here, if there is anyone left to persuade at this point, I guess this election will be a referendum on whether the primal human brain responds positively to dominance or not.

  355. 355.

    trnc

    @Adam L Silverman: The President is presenting as every obnoxious, controlling asshole that every woman knows or dated or was/is married too.

    He’ll probably be wearing a wife beater shirt in the 2nd debate.

  356. 356.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @James E Powell: I wouldn’t bet against that, but a lot of them have worked for that dumbass who ran the business he inherited into the ground, too

    I’m choosing optimism tonight

  359. 359.

    ...now I try to be amused

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    every asshole boss, especially the ones who took over the business from their father and ran it into the ground

    And yet blue-collar white men vote for their asshole boss. White supremacy is a hell of a drug.

  368. 368.

    Quinerly

    I don’t know how anyone could debate Trump… Especially tonight. I have to wonder how Obama would have handled this if he was debating Trump. This is off the rails. Can’t even begin to compare to Clinton/Trump debates.

  369. 369.

    Gravenstone

    @dmsilev: Fitting Trump with a locked collar and chaining him to his chair would be an appropriate start. Wiring his testicles to shock his ignorant ass every time he opens his yap out of turn would also be acceptable.

  370. 370.

    Sebastian

    I had to stop watching. It literally gave me a headache and a ton of PTSD. An unreal experience.

    I am disappointed that Joe didn’t go meta and call him out about his behavior. Challenge him to stop interrupting.

  372. 372.

    stinger

    “He wouldn’t know a suburb if he got lost in one. This isn’t 1950 and dog whistles on race don’t work any more.”

  373. 373.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @EmanG:

    Yeah, the one than can make a cogent argument!

    For policies actual voters don’t like!

    you’re mistaking your own preferences for those of the people who actually decide elections in this country. They vote for affect

  374. 374.

    James E Powell

    Twitter will be overrun with right-wingers crowing about Trump totally owned Biden!

    They love his act. The question is, will anyone else?

  375. 375.

    trnc

    @Gravenstone: Wiring his testicles to shock his ignorant ass every time he opens his yap out of turn would also be acceptable.

    I think you just figured out Biden’s next fundraiser.

  376. 376.

    H.E.Wolf

    I recognized .oatler’s ‘nym… but there are certainly a few others tonight who I don’t recognize, and who seem to be here to attempt to stir the #$%. Glad to see that the jackals are letting those attempts flop.

    Re: the debates: I’ve never heard That Man (as my mother calls him) speak, and I see no reason to start now. :)

    Time to deal with the bread that’s in the oven. Ciao!

  378. 378.

    Matt McIrvin

    Sam turned it on but shut it off in disgust after just a couple of minutes while Biden seemed sort of reduced to sputtering by Trump’s bully clown act. I hope Biden managed to recover a bit of composure after that because I could see all too well what both-sidesy reporters would do with what little I saw.

  379. 379.

    EmanG

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:  Again, missing the point. Not talking about policies, talking about the ability to make a cogent point! To make clear, concise statements that directly take down the puffery of the opponent. The ability to tell a story to those who vote why you’re the best choice. Is that a hard point to understand?

    You’re talking about affect, I’m talking about effect.

  381. 381.

    sanjeevs

    No question about Russia. No question about Trump’s campaign team having been convicted of criminal acts.

    All that shit just normalized.

  382. 382.

    trnc

    Joe good on DT’s response to riots. Pouring gasoline on the fire.

    I would like for Joe to point out that violent protest, while wrong, is to be expected when the non-violent protest is ignored, insulted and threatened by DT.

  387. 387.

    dnfree

    Every single segment so far the moderator says we’re done with that issue, moving on to the next one, and the previous issue was never even addressed. They all just end with shouting. This guy probably makes millions of dollars and he’s revealing his complete incompetence at moderating and his inability to change course in response to events.

  388. 388.

    eddie blake

    “antifa will overthrow YOU!”

    seriously, derp furor is SO crazypants!!

    ….and now the russian hoax.

    (oh, and now we know why ratcliffe declassified that disinformation,)

  389. 389.

    Suzanne

    @Immanentize: There is no way to do well here, although I don’t think that Joe’s done badly. I think surviving a fight with a crazy primate on stimulants is a victory of its own sort.

  390. 390.

    Sister Golden Bear

    @Matt McIrvin: Joe’s got his groove back. Staying calm and collected—denying Trump the ability to get under his skin.

    He’s also throwing the occasional shade, and for a while was laughing almost every time Trump spoke. Narcissists hate being laughed at.

    Trump’s getting repeating punched in the mouth now.

  393. 393.

    trnc

    Joe needs to say that republicans filibustered the shit out of every Obama nominee and then chucked it when it was convenient for them.

  394. 394.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    I had to take a Xanax. I’m practically shaking, and I conduct hardcore divorce trials and mediations daily.

  395. 395.

    EmanG

    Every time Trump brings up Hunter’s money why doesn’t Biden bring up the freaking run amok nepotism in his White House?

  397. 397.

    trnc

    Has DT offered any funding to rake the forests or whatever the fuck he says, or does he just say someone else should do it?

  398. 398.

    eddie blake

    “head of a major country. forest cities. sir, we have exploding trees.”

    he is IMPOSSIBLY stupid.

    (as well as QUITE insane.)

  399. 399.

    trnc

    @EmanG: Every time Trump brings up Hunter’s money why doesn’t Biden bring up the freaking run amok nepotism in his White House?

    Probably because everyone else talks about it for him, but he should probably mention it at least once.

  401. 401.

    EmanG

    @trnc: I agree, but this is the MOMENT, live on tv. Not degrading Joe, but as someone who deals in messaging on the daily, so many easy, easy points to make missed make me crazy inside.

  402. 402.

    CaseyL

    I’m only following this shitfest here and on Twitter, and I’m into my third drink.

    If I were actually watching, I might be trying to score some serious narcotics.

  406. 406.

    Eljai

    I predict the orange bloviator will claim victory after this debate tonight but when the next round of polls come out, he’ll be further behind.

  409. 409.

    Grover Gardner

    I’m on my third cocktail too, but if I were Biden, I’d say, “We’re done here, Chris.  But let me ask you this, Mr. Trump.  Your own sister, a respected lawyer and federal judge,  said you can’t be trusted.   Now tell everyone watching that your sister is a liar.”

  417. 417.

    Another Scott

    Catching up with the threads…

    My record of political prognosticating remains unbeaten.  I thought there would be no debate, and said so many times.  I was wrong.

    Psst – Ya want next week’s lottery numbers??!!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  418. 418.

    randy khan

    @Adam L Silverman:

    He didn’t do well in any of them in 2016. It didn’t matter because, by and large, these debates don’t matter. They’re a vestige of a different time and a different society.

    In 2016, Clinton’s polling improved noticeably after every debate.  It was a really clear bump each time.

  421. 421.

    stinger

    @Steeplejack (phone):

    My takeaway so far: Trump is a colossal, mean-spirited asshole. Not news, but he’s really putting it on display.

    This. I can’t believe how in your face he was. He just would not shut up. Interrupted both Biden and Wallace, seconds after being firmly requested not to. Over and over. What a bully.

  423. 423.

    randy khan

    This is not to suggest I don’t love all of you (and it is said without watching the debate because I knew it would be nearly impossible to watch), but in 1984 I attended a debate watch party with a Mondale-Ferraro campaign group and at one point after Mondale’s response to a question about the Sandinistas the guy next to me started saying that Mondale should have talked about land reform or something equally obscure.  (This was the debate that ended with the Reagan closing statement where he seemed to forget where he was.)

    Don’t be that guy.  What Biden needed to do tonight was be Joe Biden, the candidate people know, the genuine article.  From what I’ve seen, he did that just fine.  He didn’t need to make all the clever responses that we thought about in our heads, and it undoubtedly was, at least in part, a conscious strategy not to do so.

  424. 424.

    stinger

    @Adam L Silverman: The “context”, to use the word loosely, was how the U.S. economy is faring under covid. Trump said that because people are staying home more, divorce is on the increase. And it’s all the fault of the previous administration. That’s the best I can do to explain it!

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