# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/81 "2020-08-31T17:07:42Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > One bit of advice I’d give to Biden is to keep responses short and sweet, and keep hammering away at the same easy-to-understand themes. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that he has to give detailed explanations. He’s not trying to win a debate tournament; he’s trying to remind millions of simple-minded dolts at home why Trump is such a fucking disaster. He needs to bring crayons and paper. This. Maybe bring back some goodies from the past. LBJs “in your guts you know he’s nuts” could he reapplied to Trump. This isn’t the time for detailed policy proposals. It’s time to hammer Trump with simple, straightforward statements. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/82 "2020-08-31T17:16:01Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > He looks terrible when he faces any pressure, like a press briefing or an interview. A debate is the kind of situation Trump does poorly at; one where he doesn’t control the questions. > [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > Maybe bring back some goodies from the past. LBJs “in your guts you know he’s nuts” could he reapplied to Trump. This isn’t the time for detailed policy proposals. It’s time to hammer Trump with simple, straightforward statements. There is nothing Trump can do to turn off the MAGAcult and lose their support. No incompetence bad enough. No lie obvious enough. No act criminal enough. No racism bigoted enough. No ignorance embarrassing enough. None of which would be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that about 63M of voters are perfectly fine with all of it and I’m not entirely certain that number has shrunk. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/83 "2020-08-31T17:34:02Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > **There is nothing Trump can do to turn off the MAGAcult and lose their support.** No incompetence bad enough. No lie obvious enough. No act criminal enough. No racism bigoted enough. No ignorance embarrassing enough. > > None of which would be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that about 63M of voters are perfectly fine with all of it and I’m not entirely certain that number has shrunk. This is why Biden needs to focus on those in the center who can still be won, keeping those on the far left who think Biden is not liberal enough, and turning out the base on the center left. The question is what is the best way to do those three things. IMHO keeping is responses in the debates short, sweet, and to the point will help. Wandering off into the woods with detailed policy proposals, on the other hand, is bound to alienate some of the people in one of these three groups. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/84 "2020-08-31T17:34:10Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > There is nothing Trump can do to turn off the MAGAcult and lose their support. No incompetence bad enough. No lie obvious enough. No act criminal enough. No racism bigoted enough. No ignorance embarrassing enough. I agree. But the MAGAcult isn’t as big as Trump images. We can cut down on the number of people outside of the cult who might have voted for Trump. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/85 "2020-08-31T19:08:49Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I agree. But the MAGAcult isn’t as big as Trump images. We can cut down on the number of people outside of the cult who might have voted for Trump. I’m skeptical that a debate will accomplish this goal. Those who have not already been disgusted by Trump in the past 4 years, are not going to be convinced by any debate outcome. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/86 "2020-08-31T19:14:04Z")
I keep waiting for a real journalist. Haven’t seen e yet. Ones who will ask tough questions even if they want the candidate to win.They ask Trump tough questions, but no one will ask Biden any. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/87 "2020-08-31T19:26:25Z")
Right. I’d like to hear Biden answer some questions on US relations with Nambia. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/88 "2020-08-31T19:35:00Z")
It is total bullshit. I watched his recent speeches at the DNC. As opposed to trump, who cant drink a glass of water, and is incoherent. The thing is trump will demand ridiculous concessions for the debates, which Biden wont accept, so there wont be any debate. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/89 "2020-08-31T19:41:13Z")
Speeches aren’t being asked tough questions. No one will because the so called journalists want him to win. Show me one. Not a speech, a tough question. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/90 "2020-08-31T19:45:35Z")
A debate is not a press conference. The questions are used to draw out the candidates plans and opinions, and allow the other candidate the opportunity to respond, showing how their approach differs. So if the moderator asks Biden if he’s in favor of puppies and baseball, Trump gets an opportunity to respond saying he thinks they’re awesome too. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/91 "2020-08-31T19:49:09Z")
That would be a lazy moderator. Wheres Bernard Shaw when you need him? ---
**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:** [August 31, 2020, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/92 "2020-08-31T19:58:57Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > Speeches aren’t being asked tough questions. No one will because the so called journalists want him to win. Show me one. Not a speech, a tough question. Well, let’s be specific. What, in your opinion, would be a tough questions that Trump could answer but Biden could not? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/93 "2020-08-31T20:00:46Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Well, let’s be specific. What, in your opinion, would be a tough questions that Trump could answer but Biden could not? “Ivanka; hot or not?” ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/94 "2020-08-31T20:02:16Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Ivanka; hot or not? _golf clap_ ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/95 "2020-08-31T20:07:10Z")
What has Jared accomplished in Israel? ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/96 "2020-08-31T20:16:55Z")
This is hte sort of video that I think about when I think of Biden. > ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/97 "2020-08-31T20:18:56Z")
What is your position of using drones to strike civilians repeatedly and ordering the murder of a US citizen? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/98 "2020-08-31T20:18:59Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > They ask Trump tough questions, but no one will ask Biden any. Hell, yes, so many people have pointed out that Trump did absolutely nothing to prepare the country for the Covid19 crisis back in January. But you don’t see anyone asking Biden what he did to prepare the country. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/99 "2020-08-31T20:34:33Z")
Biden should not debate the so-called president. Biden is leading, and he should not dignify the con man after the stage-stalking and “no puppet. You’re the puppet” nonsense from the last time. All Biden has to say, if Trumpers need a reason, is that he’ll debate the con man the night after said petty con man holds the ceremony to present Obama’s portrait at the White House. All that said, I must add: Fuck Donald Trump, con man. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536/100 "2020-08-31T20:43:24Z")
Whatever the rules, Biden should violate them. What’s Trump going to do - walk out because Biden doesn’t play fair? Biden needs to address Trump directly and personally: ‘Donald you have failed to even organize a government. You don’t have a cabinet that your own Senate will ratify’ ‘You believe you have succeeded against the virus because you lack the mental capacity to perceive reality.’ ‘There you go again, Donald, what you don’t know, you make up’ ‘Donald, think about what you just said and tell me you are so dumb you actually believe that bullshit’ (excuse me folks but it’s the best way to say it) Stuff like that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-biden-should-bother-debating-trump/855536.md?page=6)