# 2020 POTUS Debate 1 (29 September) follow-along and discussion thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 30, 2020, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854 "2020-09-30T00:30:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/261 "2020-09-30T02:52:11Z")
Wallace is getting ripped into ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/262 "2020-09-30T02:53:24Z")
Fox panel saying Biden did good and Trump driving expectations so low backfired ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/263 "2020-09-30T02:53:39Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I added to my post (edited it) but this thread moves fast so here is that extra bit: > > This really feels like Biden is playing a game of “don’t lose” rather than trying to win. You often see this in sports and it can be a bad call. I suppose mathematically that is the right play but then Clinton did the same and we know how that turned out. Biden’s not capable of some sort of amazing rhetorical jiu-jitsu. He did about as well as he could have - his strength is empathy with Americans, and that’s what he tried to emphasize. I thought he did about as well at that as possible given the clowning next to him. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/264 "2020-09-30T02:53:53Z")
For the people criticizing Chris Wallace for his moderating, how could he have handled that trainwreck any better? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/265 "2020-09-30T02:55:57Z")
Wallace had no enforcement mechanisms other than pleading with the candidates, right? He couldn’t shut down the debates or mute anyone. People are saying he rolled over and let this all pass, but he didn’t. He was yelling “Mr. President…” 1500 times when Trump kept interrupting. Could he have been more forceful? Got up and screamed at Trump? Sure. Might’ve got him attacked as part of the BIASED LIBERAL MEDIA against Trump. But given that he had very little enforcement power of any sort, he did his best. I’m not blaming the moderation, I’m blaming the format of the debates which do not give the moderator the power to control anything. Give the moderator a mute button and Wallace would’ve done fine. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/266 "2020-09-30T02:57:55Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I thought Biden did okay. No big gaffes, and probably no little gaffes. And had some good shots in, without any big risks. Trump outright called on his supporters to “watch the polls” during the election and Biden just let it go. A blatant call for voter intimidation and Biden didn’t even push back on it. He’s a pathetic worm with no balls. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/267 "2020-09-30T02:58:00Z")
So when asked to denounce the proud boys, did Trump say “stand down and stand by”? If so, I missed it, but holy shit. He’s basically telling them to be ready for armed intimidation/resurrection if needed. Which I guess isn’t that outrageous, given that in 2016 he said he’d only accept the result of elections he won. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/268 "2020-09-30T02:58:01Z")
Question: I bailed about 30 mins in. I never watch trump on TV. Is his jaw always pushed over to the left like that? His head looked quite asymmetrical. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/269 "2020-09-30T02:58:13Z")
I need a drink I’m wired now! What a shit show no fault of Joes though I appreciate he st least addressed the viewers at home. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/270 "2020-09-30T02:58:16Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Could he have been more forceful? Got up and screamed at Trump? Sure. Might’ve got him attacked as part of the BIASED LIBERAL MEDIA against Trump. And therein lies the power of years of Trump complaining about the liberal media. He has made them scared of their own shadow. He defanged them. What they need to do to get it back is cut his mic or tell him to STFU while the other person is talking. That won’t happen though. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/271 "2020-09-30T02:58:44Z")
No minds changed. Case in point, Trump gave a shout out to the Proud Boys and his base, and that’s not going to change one vote. I do think I changed a colleagues mind by pointing out that she’s paid more fed income tax as a single mother than trump has for the past 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/272 "2020-09-30T02:59:13Z")
Hyperbolic nonsense. Biden’s message on voting was maybe his best moment on stage. It’s impossible to continuously fact check a hundred lies a minute. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/273 "2020-09-30T03:01:01Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > What they need to do to get it back is cut his mic or tell him to STFU while the other person is talking. I don’t think there was a provision for muting microphones as part of the setup for debate. I mean, sure, there’s a sound guy with a sound board, but I’m sure the bylaws of the debate didn’t allow that. Wallace basically didn’t have anything he could do except what he did. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/274 "2020-09-30T03:01:26Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > It’s impossible to continuously fact check a hundred lies a minute. The [Gish Gallop](https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Gish_Gallop). Old and common tactic. You’d think they’d be prepared for it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/275 "2020-09-30T03:01:32Z")
Forgot one: Calling Trump “Putin’s puppy” to his face is milquetoast? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/276 "2020-09-30T03:02:17Z")
There’s no “beating” that kind of clowning. Biden focused on talking to the American people, which is about the best he could have done against such silliness. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/277 "2020-09-30T03:03:08Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > No minds changed. Case in point, Trump gave a shout out to the Proud Boys and his base, and that’s not going to change one vote. Failing yet again to denounce white supremacists might convince any fence-sitting minorities off the fence and oppose him. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/278 "2020-09-30T03:03:15Z")
> **[‘He’s Putin’s puppy’: Biden rips Trump — and the president freaks out and...](https://www.rawstory.com/2020/09/hes-putins-puppy-biden-rips-trump-and-the-president-freaks-out-and-breaks-the-debate-rules/)** > > Former Vice President Joe Biden invoked President Donald Trump's subservience to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the first 2020 general election presidential debate."With regard to being weaker, the fact is I have gone head to head with Putin... ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/279 "2020-09-30T03:03:22Z")
Wow…Biden really flexed on Trump didn’t he! 🙄 Biden took a couple swings and missed most of them completely. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/280 "2020-09-30T03:04:45Z")
His insults were well within bounds and appropriate, but not well timed. He was going for a zinger moment and missed. I would’ve preferred he didn’t throw those punches if he wasn’t going to land them, it’s just going to try feed the narrative that “both sides!!!” have lowered the discourse. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854.md?page=15)