# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/41 "2020-06-13T20:16:57Z")
How about a Reaganesque eyeroll and “There you go again…”? ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/42 "2020-06-13T20:40:03Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I agree. Biden does not have the capacity to say anything intelligible without a teleprompter. Its funny how the same people who voted for Trump are now pretending they care about competence and eloquence in their president. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/43 "2020-06-13T20:53:44Z")
I don’t know what people have been watching but Biden has looked like nothing short of a genius the past few weeks, frankly he locked up the election with the way he has spoken since the protests started. Trump is the one who will likely refuse to debate. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2020, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/44 "2020-06-13T21:05:09Z")
It may be a moot point anyway. I’ve heard before that Trump has no intention of debating in the upcoming race. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/45 "2020-06-14T02:21:28Z")
> [@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. I suspect the Venn diagram of that would closely resemble a perfect circle. As a liberal/progressive type person, I recognize Biden has flaws, and he’s not my perfect, or even preferred, candidate. However, only a Trumper could, well, trumpet Biden’s alleged flaws so heartily without seeing how their accusations more closely fit Trump over the past 4 years. Bunker Baby cannot even drink from a glass of water without using both hands. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/46 "2020-06-14T02:39:44Z")
By the way he looked at West Point, Donald might not be fit enough to deal with a debate. I swear he was taking those steps one at a time, like someone who’s had a recent joint replacement would. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/47 "2020-06-14T12:23:09Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > By the way he looked at West Point, Donald might not be fit enough to deal with a debate. I swear he was taking those steps one at a time, like someone who’s had a recent joint replacement would. He couldn’t even lift a glass of water up to his mouth, what was up with that? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/48 "2020-06-14T12:37:12Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I agree. Biden does not have the capacity to say anything intelligible without a teleprompter. On the subject of reading, maybe there should be a debate. They will be both be handed books and asked to read from them aloud. Would you like to see Trump read, unprepared, out loud on national television? I would. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/49 "2020-06-14T13:20:50Z")
It was a ramp , not steps and Trump claims it was slippery. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/50 "2020-06-14T14:43:05Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > How 'bout this [recent one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPAWh_KZMVc) (apparently while reading printed notes)? In case you are truly concerned with assessing Biden’s cognitive ability, here is the full 1 hour and 22 minute round table discussion: [https://www.c-span.org/video/?472981-1/joe-biden-holds-roundtable-reopening-economy](https://www.c-span.org/video/?472981-1/joe-biden-holds-roundtable-reopening-economy) You may find it more illuminating than your 10 second clip. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/51 "2020-06-14T14:53:58Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Its funny how the same people who voted for Trump are now pretending they care about competence and eloquence in their president. or how they whined about “incivility” after electing someone who ran on the platform of being a boorish ass. ---
**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 14, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/52 "2020-06-14T15:24:47Z")
On a related note, what do we think of Pence’s debating ability? There will be one vice-president’s debate. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/53 "2020-06-14T15:43:11Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > I think Biden should hire Obama as his debate stand-in. Better, he should invite Obama (and for that matter, Bush and Clinton) as his guests to the first debate, seat them right up front where Trump can see them. Trump’s likely to go after them instead of Biden, get confused, and maybe walk off the stage. But for the topic, yes, Biden needs to accept the debates and do the best he can. If nothing else, a ‘average’ performance will get him kudos since there is discussion on his abilities. A gamble perhaps, but one I think he needs to take. More likely Trump will duck and complain about the debates more than Biden, trying to get a format he thinks will work for him. We shall see. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/54 "2020-06-14T15:44:35Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > On a related note, what do we think of Pence’s debating ability? There will be one vice-president’s debate. Biden has said that he’s going to select a female VP (hopefully Warren, in my opinion). Will Mother allow Pence to be on stage alone with another woman? ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/55 "2020-06-14T15:53:36Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > On a related note, what do we think of Pence’s debating ability? There will be one vice-president’s debate. Biden has said that he’s going to select a female VP (hopefully Warren, in my opinion). Will Mother allow Pence to be on stage alone with another woman? ---
**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:** [June 14, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/56 "2020-06-14T18:55:02Z")
Yeah, ha ha. We’ve heard it all before. But Pence is a brick wall. He is ice cold. It will be really goddamn hard for anyone to debate him. He’s not going to interrupt, rant, and make snide jabs the way Trump does, but he’s going to manage to sound authoritative and intelligent. He’s a totally spineless kiss-ass to Trump but I have to give Pence some credit for being politically savvy. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/57 "2020-06-14T19:53:26Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > On a related note, what do we think of Pence’s debating ability? There will be one vice-president’s debate. My dream ticket for the Dems was a woman for POTUS and Pete Buttigieg for Veep – mostly because seeing that VP debate is my idea of entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/58 "2020-06-15T19:17:57Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > One thing that disturbs me about Trump is that when he leaves office he will still not be prosecuted for his many crimes since his will successfully argue that his dementia is so advanced that he is unfit to stand trial. This sounds like a Catch-22 situation. If you know you have dementia, then surely you don’t? ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/59 "2020-06-15T21:23:33Z")
I agree Biden has to show up. A stalemate or slight (coherent) loss will not hurt him but refusing certainly would. If he goes off the rails mentally the breakdown would have eventually happened anyway. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/60 "2020-06-15T23:34:40Z")
Biden did poorly in the free for all debates but better as it willowed down. He’ll do fine against Trump. Biden will make “oh Joe” gaffes I am sure but nothing horrific. And he will also say lots that makes sense. He’ll appeal to a wide swath. Trump will not make sense. He won’t make gaffes, he’ll say hateful things. I suspect it will be Trump who limits debates. His performance space is rallies not debates. Biden will be prepared for childish taunts. Few votes I suspect will be won or lost in the debates. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536.md?page=4)