# 2020 POTUS Debates 2 & 3 (Oct 15 & 22)- Go ahead or cancel? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 7, 2020, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415 "2020-10-07T13:05:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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 7, 2020, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/1 "2020-10-07T13:05:53Z")
Assuming trump is still ambulatory and able to speak by then, he has said he wants to go ahead. I want Biden to pull out. Biden can say that he insists everyone have COVID tests or whatever, but you know trump will refuse. And anyway, having a negative test on any given day is no indication that you’re not contagious. Trump’s people cannot be trusted. The risk to Biden is too great, and he should pull out. Yeah, he’ll get all kinds of insults, invective, bullcrap piled on his head from the right-- so what? No voter’s mind is going to be changed by whether the debates happen or by whatever happens at the debates. Biden cannot take a chance with his health. I saw this headline on Axios this morning, but it’s very weak and wobbly-- c’mon, Joe! Take a stand! Screw the docs-- you take responsibility for YOURSELF and refuse to attend. > **[Joe Biden: I think if Trump "still has COVID, we shouldn’t have a debate"](https://www.axios.com/2020/10/07/biden-trump-coronavirus-second-debate)** > > "I will be guided by the guidelines of the Cleveland Clinic and what the docs say is the right thing to do.” My 2 cents. What say y’all? ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/2 "2020-10-07T13:16:30Z")
If Trump is still contagious, he shouldn’t be let out of his room, much less travel to a debate. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2020, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/3 "2020-10-07T13:27:57Z")
I say no way. If he isn’t contagious, someone in his entourage will be. His crowd refused to wear masks last time and can’t be trusted to follow them this time. Future President Biden’s health is too important to risk. Not to mention we have the lead and the clock is running down, time to get in victory formation and take a knee. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/4 "2020-10-07T13:30:20Z")
I’d say debate IF Trump has independently verified negative test, AND plexiglass between the 2 speakers and the moderator/audience, AND all spectators are masked. Alternative - virtual via video. Anything short, and Biden should decline, saying anything else would be irresponsible. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/5 "2020-10-07T13:43:13Z")
“We have to take this virus seriously. The president has clearly demonstrated that he has not and, as a result, we have 215,000 dead from it. I will not participate in an in-person event with him. I will be happy to debate him with the use of modern technology.” [translation: keep your Covid cooties away from me] ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/6 "2020-10-07T13:46:55Z")
Let Trump cancel, Biden can just sit back and let this blow up in Trumps face. If Trump is not contagious there is no reason to cancel unless Trump request to do so. I don’t think that Trump even hyped up on steroids can do more than rant for 90 minutes. Oh wait, that’s what he did last time. Let them debate and allow the country to see the darkness that is running the country today and decide if they want to put up with it for four more years. I’m thinking not. ---
**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 7, 2020, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/7 "2020-10-07T13:55:56Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I’d say debate IF Trump has independently verified negative test There’s not way to ensure this. Trump will either refuse to verify, lie about having verified, or get one of his stable of lying doctors to write up a lying report. > [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Let Trump cancel Why on earth would trump cancel? He will never cancel. > [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > If Trump is not contagious How? There is no way to verify this. Frankly, there’s no way to verify it for **anyone** who has had COVID. And not many reliable ways to verify it for anyone who has not had it. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/8 "2020-10-07T14:00:08Z")
Can anyone give me just one good reason why any of these debates need to be in person? If a politician can’t make their case without a cheering section, their case must not be very strong. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/9 "2020-10-07T14:02:29Z")
Two men enter, one man leave. [![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/01/e3/29/01e329b210adf1c4a9bc22a5136b82a8.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/01/e3/29/01e329b210adf1c4a9bc22a5136b82a8.jpg) ---
**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:** [October 7, 2020, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/10 "2020-10-07T14:13:14Z")
They should debate remotely. It’s been done before. Same goes for the VP debate, but it’s probably too late to change it. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/11 "2020-10-07T14:21:13Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Can anyone give me just one good reason why any of these debates need to be in person? If a politician can’t make their case without a cheering section, their case must not be very strong. There is no reason. The technology to hold debates remotely existed sixty years ago, when one of the debates was held with Richard Nixon in Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy in New York City, and the moderator in Chicago. ---
**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 7, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/12 "2020-10-07T14:25:38Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Can anyone give me just one good reason why any of these debates need to be in person? This makes sense. But it will have to be Biden who insists. Trump will not, because it will make him look weak. And no docs have got the brass balls to contradict trump in public. So Joe will need to make that a condition of his participation. But will he? Don’t cave, Joe! Don’t give in to the bully! ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/13 "2020-10-07T14:57:08Z")
A virtual debate allows for easy use of a mute button, allowing each candidate to speak in turn and uninterrupted. Trump can’t have any of that. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/14 "2020-10-07T15:24:04Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Why on earth would trump cancel? He will never cancel. If he is struggling to breath, he’ll cancel. If he can’t get an entire sentence out without stopping to catch his breath, he’ll cancel. ETA TimOBrien’s tweet: A humbling Herman Cain/coronavirus timeline: 6/24: Attends Trump rally, maskless 7/2: Tests positive for Covid-19 7/10: Says he’s improving 7/15: Says his doctors seem happy 7/27: Says he’s really getting better 7/30: Dies [3:00 PM · Oct 5, 2020](https://twitter.com/TimOBrien/status/1313192280971452418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1313192280971452418%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-2081265030386512554.ampproject.net%2F2009252320001%2Fframe.html) ---
**Author:** ![Monocracy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monocracy/32/4493_2.png) [@Monocracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monocracy)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/15 "2020-10-07T15:27:50Z")
I doubt Trump is infectious now and he definitely won’t be by the time of the debates. The CDC says that someone is infectious up to 10 days after the onset of symptoms. I believe he’s been symptomatic since before the first debate, but even if he’s only been symptomatic since Oct. 1, the 10 days will be up before the next debate. ---
**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 7, 2020, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/16 "2020-10-07T15:28:12Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > If he is struggling to breath, he’ll cancel. If he can’t get an entire sentence out without stopping to catch his breath, he’ll cancel If it gets that bad, he will get so whiney and uncooperative the people running the debate will be forced to cancel it, giving him the opportunity to claim that _they_ backed out. ---
**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 7, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/17 "2020-10-07T15:30:41Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > If he is struggling to breath, he’ll cancel. If he can’t get an entire sentence out without stopping to catch his breath, he’ll cancel.- I honestly wonder. What would he give as a reason? The reason would have to be something that makes it Biden’s, Obama’s, Hillary’s fault or the fault of the “Democrat” party at large. He will NEVER publicly admit weakness. I can see him bullying some doctor to “give me whatever that was that made me feel so good–and make it a double!” and some doctor will comply. I wouldn’t mind seeing him go through with it and collapse on the stage. A girl can dream… Or this. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > If it gets that bad, he will get so whiney and uncooperative the people running the debate will be forced to cancel it, giving him the opportunity to claim that _they_ backed out.- It will HAVE to be someone else’s fault. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2020, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/18 "2020-10-07T16:59:58Z")
Biden will have to insist on a virtual debate. Trump will refuse and blame it on Biden. So be it. Even if Trump isn’t infectious, some of his entourage will be. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/19 "2020-10-08T12:54:51Z")
The Commission on Presidential Debates announced this morning that it would be switching the October 15 debate to a virtual one. 30 minutes later, Trump announced he wouldn’t be participating. Fine with me. Trumpeteers had been crowing for weeks before the first debate that Biden was going to fake having Covid so that he could bow out. They’re all very quiet now. ---
**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 8, 2020, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415/20 "2020-10-08T12:59:35Z")
If he needs an excuse to back out, I’m all for it. He just needs to be able to blame someone else. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-potus-debates-2-3-oct-15-22-go-ahead-or-cancel/922415.md?page=2)