# 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:** 26
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/501 "2020-09-30T21:20:20Z")
I’m probably in the minority but I’m glad that Biden took the relatively high road and didn’t get sucked down into the mud with Trump.Yes, he did tell him to shut up but he was infinitely more Presidential. I would have been so disappointed if he had fought back with insults.Besides, his brand is “Uncle Joe” and he stuck to that. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/502 "2020-09-30T21:45:28Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I was trying to think of why I had a series of apocalyptic nightmares last night, which is very rare for me. I think it was because of two recent TV experiences: > > First, Brendan Gleeson’s frightening portrayal of Trump in the miniseries _The Comey Rule_, followed a couple of days later by the real-life orange menace in a shit-show of a “debate” in which he … Holy crap, he may not have physically resembled Donnie that much, but he scared the crap out of me. Something about that scene where he’s attacking that ice cream while having dinner with Comey was quite disturbing. I recommend the series. Important takeaways- No denunciation of white supremacy No respect for civilized behavior No promise to abide by the outcome of the election ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/503 "2020-09-30T21:46:19Z")
And somewhere under that; “I want the moderator replaced with a Mom who’s been home with her kids since March!” That’s a sound suggestion, right there! ---
**Author:** ![SoToasty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sotoasty/32/2803_2.png) [@SoToasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoToasty)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/504 "2020-09-30T22:00:00Z")
A new format is coming to the stage. It does not say what the changes are yet, but hopefully, they will make the Presidential Debates more Presidential. [CNN Article on debate format](https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/30/politics/presidential-debates-format-changes/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/505 "2020-09-30T22:04:25Z")
Well, any format changes would need to be agreed to by both campaigns. One can easily guess that any changes which would attempt to tamp down some of Trump’s excesses from last night (such as kill switches on microphones, penalties for going over time, etc.) would not be agreed to by him or his campaign. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/506 "2020-09-30T22:09:05Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > This is tyrannical banana republic territory. It’s inconceivable that anyone could be this oblivious. They’re not oblivious. They WANT a dictatorship. ---
**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, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/507 "2020-09-30T22:22:51Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > I’m probably in the minority but I’m glad that Biden took the relatively high road and didn’t get sucked down into the mud with Trump.Yes, he did tell him to shut up but he was infinitely more Presidential. I would have been so disappointed if he had fought back with insults.Besides, his brand is “Uncle Joe” and he stuck to that. I completely agree with you. Trying to out-bully the bully is a losing proposition. Joe needed to act like the grownup in the room and he did. He shouted trump down just enough to avoid being labeled a wimp/doormat, but landing witty zingers on trump would not have been a good look. One does fantasize about how Obama would have handled the debate. Trump hates Obama so much trump probably would have just stood there gripping the podium, stomping his feet, and foaming at the mouth. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/508 "2020-09-30T22:35:05Z")
I agree. While it would have been more entertaining to watch Biden out-bully the bully, I think it is in her best interest to play the dignified underdog. Not only does that make him look good, but it gets under Trump’s skin. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/509 "2020-09-30T22:40:01Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I agree. While it would have been more entertaining to watch Biden out-bully the bully, I think it is in her best interest to play the dignified underdog. …her? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/510 "2020-09-30T22:43:33Z")
I don’t know why I made that typo. ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/511 "2020-09-30T23:28:20Z")
Never Mind. ---
**Author:** ![Mickyfinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19b73/32.png) [@Mickyfinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mickyfinn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/512 "2020-09-30T23:38:03Z")
F James Woods ---
**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, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/513 "2020-09-30T23:56:42Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > If you tuned in because you wanted entertainment, Good TV, if you wanted the political equivalent of a boxing match or a tennis match or a game of Celebrity Jeopardy, then yes, Joe Biden’s performance left a lot to be desired. We live in a society where people live and die by what’s on TV. They choose what cars, clothes, even medicine, to buy, based on what they see on TV. Iconic cultural phenomena come and go on the TV screen, leaving indelible impacts on our culture and on people’s conscious and subconscious minds. And you just want to disregard all of this and say that it doesn’t matter what kind of performance - yes, _performance_ - our candidate delivers on the TV? At a time when getting people FIRED UP to vote…FIRED up, as in feeling a fire of excitement, passion, and ultimately motivation to get them to _enthusiastically_ turn out to vote - eh, TV’s just not an important avenue for doing so? I think we live in very different worlds. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2020, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/514 "2020-10-01T00:04:19Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > I think we live in very different worlds.- Yup. And I’m glad. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/515 "2020-10-01T00:08:11Z")
Well, don’t be TOO glad, because we both suffer psychologically under the miserable reign of Trump, but I guess I feel it more acutely because I see so many missed opportunities to make a dent in his armor. We’re on the same side, fundamentally. There is NOTHING that would make me happier than being proven DEAD WRONG by the outcome of the election. ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/516 "2020-10-01T01:25:17Z")
I believe he dented his own armor pretty good taking those cheap shots at Biden’s son and refusing to call out the violent right wing groups. But we are all united in wanting the clown out of office. I just don’t think Biden needs to lower himself to that base level to make a Trump loss a certainty. In fact, it would lower him in my eyes if he did. That being said, I will post something soon you may find entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/517 "2020-10-01T01:40:36Z")
Forgive me for this because I really do admire Joe Biden for having the fortitude to endure all the shit Trump spewed at him last night as well as all he has lost in his life. But I have two overwhelming desires concerning this election. The first is to see Donald J. Trump arrested for sedition AT Biden’s inaugural ceremony about nine seconds after the oath of office is completed for what he said in the debate last night. The second is to see Joe Biden walk up to Trump just before the next debate, smile and stick out his hand to shake and say: “Donald, I am here for two reasons tonight, and I am all out of bubblegum.” Loud - with the microphones on, then turn around and walk away without shaking his hand. Now that is just a moment I would like to cherish briefly, not something I would really encourage him to do. I still believe a version of the opening statement I submitted earlier is the best course. But wouldn’t it be nice to see that happen? Being nothing but a bully, I assume Trump would shit his pants once he realized he really did piss off the wrong grandpa! He would be looking for his secret service escort to get his ass out of there! ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2020, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/518 "2020-10-01T03:48:50Z")
I’m just shocked that Mr. ‘Very Fine People’ flubbed his denunciation of White Supremacy. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2020, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/519 "2020-10-01T03:55:23Z")
To “flub” means you at least try. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2020, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854/520 "2020-10-01T04:18:31Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I think Mark Hamill should have the last word: > > [ > Mark Hamill > @HamillHimself > ](https://twitter.com/HamillHimself) > > [27m](https://twitter.com/HamillHimself/status/1311198722001235968) > > That debate was the worst thing I’ve ever seen & I was in The Star Wars Holiday Special I think Stormy Daniels may have one-upped Hamill: Stormy Daniels @Stormy Daniels That debate was the worst thing I’ve ever seen and i slept with Donald Trump 9/30/20, 9:56 AM [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debate-1-29-september-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/921854.md?page=27)