# I don't think Biden should bother debating Trump **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 12, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536 "2020-06-12T14:39:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/1 "2020-06-12T14:39:52Z")
Trump is such a lying abhorrent asshole, why should he? Why give Trump such a platform to tell his lies? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/2 "2020-06-12T14:42:00Z")
I agree. He won’t debate anything, it will be a rehash of the same lies and insults. On top of that, with Biden the less said the better. He should have this in the bag, it’s his to lose, he should do as little as possible so he can avoid making a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/3 "2020-06-12T14:46:09Z")
Biden not showing up to the debate **will** damage him. Biden showing up to a debate has a **risk** that Trump will damage him. He’s better off taking the risk, since at least he may be able to eliminate said risk. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/4 "2020-06-12T14:47:15Z")
I agree. Biden does not have the capacity to say anything intelligible without a teleprompter. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/5 "2020-06-12T14:56:41Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I agree. Biden does not have the capacity to say anything intelligible without a teleprompter. This horseshit didn’t stick when they threw it at Obama, but I suppose there’s no harm in trying again. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/6 "2020-06-12T14:58:27Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Why give Trump such a platform to tell his lies? In a debate, inducing your opponent to tell lies is known as “winning”. But Biden’s recent public statements, even when carefully controlled, have (to put it mildly) not made him look good. Despite the damage it will cause him, it’s probably best for his campaign to severely limit his public exposure. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/7 "2020-06-12T15:02:39Z")
All Biden has to do is wait for Trump to talk shit about his son and walk over and punch Trump in his slack lipped mouth. Debate over. Biden for the win. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/8 "2020-06-12T15:42:41Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > This horseshit didn’t stick when they threw it at Obama, but I suppose there’s no harm in trying again. Uh, many people, left right and center, have noticed Biden’s mental decline. It’s not horseshit. These are beyond classic Biden gaffes. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/9 "2020-06-12T15:45:26Z")
Biden was pretty solid on The Daily Show the other day. No teleprompter. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/10 "2020-06-12T15:52:40Z")
I think Biden should hire Obama as his debate stand-in. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/11 "2020-06-12T16:01:54Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Biden was pretty solid on The Daily Show the other day. No teleprompter. You can’t possibly set up a friendlier environment than that. Talk shows are rehearsed and questions are known in advance. Trump’s going to be ripping him up and and down for an hour straight, including real-time rips on any incoherence, that Biden will not be able to match, because he’s not quick enough on his feet. Anyway, [these guys](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFiX4aoNFLE) say it better than I ever could. Biden should not debate Trump, all he needs to do is stay in his basement and maintain a pulse and he’ll have a good chance. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/12 "2020-06-12T16:22:17Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Biden does not have the capacity to say anything intelligible without a teleprompter. I’m sorry, you meant to say Trump, right? ---
**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:** [June 12, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/13 "2020-06-12T16:23:33Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Trump’s going to be ripping him up and and down for an hour straight, including real-time rips on any incoherence, that Biden will not be able to match, because he’s not quick enough on his feet. Trump calling Biden on incoherence, or claiming a mental decline by Biden, reminds me of the line about pulling the plank from one’s own eye before pulling the speck out of someone else’s. Or pots calling kettles black, to get non-biblical. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/14 "2020-06-12T16:24:10Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > I’m sorry, you meant to say Trump, right? I’m saying nothing of Trump, other than Biden shouldn’t debate him. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/15 "2020-06-12T16:25:22Z")
Honestly, just like everything else he touches, Trump has destroyed the idea of Presidential debates. He would simply do his regular shtick of playground taunts, lies, and name-calling. Why waste everyone’s time on that? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/16 "2020-06-12T18:16:54Z")
You can’t blame Trump for American debates being a farce. They haven’t been real debates for a long time, if ever they were. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/17 "2020-06-12T19:05:56Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Biden was pretty solid on The Daily Show the other day. No teleprompter. I’ve learned there is little point in arguing with those who are determined to paint Biden as a doddering old man. They are impervious to reality as the Trumpers. ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/18 "2020-06-12T19:09:26Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > All Biden has to do is wait for Trump to talk shit about his son and walk over and punch Trump in his slack lipped mouth. Debate over. Biden for the win. I know this is a joke and in reality should not and would not happen… BUT if ever in the history of politics this could be considered normal, it is 2020. If any politician deserves to be assaulted on national TV… Trump is that special kind of asshole and an embarassment to our nation and our species. He exemplfies everything wrong with our society right now. I for one would laugh my ass off and the act would solidify my vote! ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/19 "2020-06-12T19:14:10Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I’ve learned there is little point in arguing with those who are determined to paint Biden as a doddering old man. They are impervious to reality as the Trumpers. If he isn’t a doddering old man, then what is he? C’mon, open you’re eyes. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2020, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/20 "2020-06-12T19:21:16Z")
> [@chargerrich](#): > > I know this is a joke and in reality should not and would not happen… BUT if ever in the history of politics this could be considered normal, it is 2020. > > If any politician deserves to be assaulted on national TV… Trump is that special kind of asshole and an embarassment to our nation and our species. He exemplfies everything wrong with our society right now. > > I for one would laugh my ass off and the act would solidify my vote! Barr would have him in Guantanamo Bay by the end of the day. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536.md?page=2)