# Is there going to be one or more Clinton-Trump debates? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 2, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577 "2016-08-02T19:56:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/61 "2016-09-05T19:31:37Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > **Trump: Only natural disasters will keep me from debating Clinton** So…he’ll keep himself from debating? ---
**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 5, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/62 "2016-09-05T20:55:30Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > [http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/trump-will-debate-clinton-2016-227739](http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/trump-will-debate-clinton-2016-227739) > > OK, so this… > > **Trump: Only natural disasters will keep me from debating Clinton** > > So, I guess, as of today, he is down for all three, the choice of moderators is not an issue, and, by golly, he’s gonna do it. > > What does it mean? Haven’t the foggiest. Well, that was his position TODAY. Just wait a bit… ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/63 "2016-09-06T00:05:18Z")
The only time that Trump has seemed to be able to hold himself together is when he’s reading off a teleprompter. Are those allowed in any of the debates? I wouldn’t think so, but I have to admit I never really cared to watch them before. I knew ll their positions beforehand–what does hearing them debate it tell me? ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/64 "2016-09-06T00:23:00Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The only time that Trump has seemed to be able to hold himself together is when he’s reading off a teleprompter. Are those allowed in any of the debates? I wouldn’t think so, but I have to admit I never really cared to watch them before. Nope, no prompters or scripts. [They may take notes, though.](http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2012/10/presidential_debates_and_note_taking_what_do_candidates_write_during_the.html) > [@](#): > > I knew ll their positions beforehand–what does hearing them debate it tell me? Depending on the debate format and moderator, it is a chance to hear the candidates’ ideas/positions challenged and hear the candidates defend them. Theoretically, this is a Socratic kinda thing where we all come away a lot wiser than if we just looked at position papers and said “sounds smart” or “sounds dumb.” I mean, it _could_ work that way … ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2016, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/65 "2016-09-06T00:44:57Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Well, that was his position TODAY. Just wait a bit… He also said he’s not going to bother practicing. The dumpster fire may be about to flare up … ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/66 "2016-09-13T13:55:43Z")
Trump is now saying that he wants no moderator because otherwise it’s “rigged” against him. What he means is that he wants to be able to talk over the top of Clinton with his relentless word salad. > **[Donald Trump protests format for presidential debates](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/09/12/donald-trump-hillary-clinton-debate-lester-holt-nbc-hofstra/90255570/)** > > Republican candidate prefers no moderators, saying they would be unfair to him I stick by my prediction, Trump will not turn up to any debates because he knows he will lose badly, so he’s just making ridiculous demands to have an excuse to not show up. Afraid to debate a grandmother with Pneumonia, What a coward! Weak! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/67 "2016-09-13T14:17:47Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > Trump is now saying that he wants no moderator because otherwise it’s “rigged” against him. What he means is that he wants to be able to talk over the top of Clinton with his relentless word salad. > > [Donald Trump protests format for presidential debates](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/09/12/donald-trump-hillary-clinton-debate-lester-holt-nbc-hofstra/90255570/) > > I stick by my prediction, Trump will not turn up to any debates because he knows he will lose badly, so he’s just making ridiculous demands to have an excuse to not show up. > Afraid to debate a grandmother with Pneumonia, What a coward! Weak! Nonsense. Here’s what he said, per your article: > [@](#): > > “The fact is that they’re gaming the system, and I think, maybe, we should have no moderator," Trump told CNBC. “Let Hillary and I sit there and just debate because I think the system is being rigged so it’s gonna be a very unfair debate, and I can see it happening right now because everyone’s saying that he was soft on Trump.” It’s all about setting expectations, something even your cite says: > [@](#): > > In the run-ups to debates past, candidates have downplayed their chances and built up those of their opponents, all hoping to prevail in the court of public opinion. Would you like to make a little bet about whether or not Trump shows up for the first debate? Loser has to promise not to post anything on this site related to the election until the next debate. ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/68 "2016-09-13T14:44:02Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I knew ll their positions beforehand–what does hearing them debate it tell me? True, but debates allow/force the candidates to present/defend their positions in a conversational setting in response to questions from (hopefully) neutral moderators and ordinary citizens in the presence of their opponent(s), as opposed to presenting them in the form of a prepared speech and this can often give you great insight into their true understanding, or lack of thereof, of the issues and the effect their positions will have on them. For example, before the relevant debates everyone knew that [Bush I and Bill Clinton](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffbFvKlWqE) were running on two different economic philosophies, that [Rick Perry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uvmKnFY4uk) was adamant about eliminating what he viewed as wasteful government bureaucracy, and that [Mitt Romney](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK3ORgw-h_4) thought that our military had grown weak and ineffective under Obama, but only as scripted talking points. The debates were what gave us the necessary insight to evaluate their true understanding of the underlying issues and their abilities to address them and their performances went on to define what voters thought of these candidates as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/69 "2016-09-13T18:08:04Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Would you like to make a little bet about whether or not Trump shows up for the first debate? Loser has to promise not to post anything on this site related to the election until the next debate. Naw, I just get to have a sickeningly smug grin of satisfaction if I’m right. Thats enough. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/70 "2016-09-13T21:40:04Z")
And this is even after the moderator choices were made [specifically to \*appease \*Trump.](https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2016/09/12/report-according-network-executives-debate-moderator-choices-meant-appease-trump/213004) Sez Politico. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/71 "2016-09-13T23:20:42Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > I stick by my prediction, Trump will not turn up to any debates because he knows he will lose badly, so he’s just making ridiculous demands to have an excuse to not show up. $250 per debate, he shows up. Bet? [QUOTE=Elvisl1ves] And this is even after the moderator choices were made specifically to appease Trump. [/QUOTE] They could have picked Melania Trump as the moderator and he’d still say it was unfair. If he admits it’s fair, he can’t spin the results. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/72 "2016-09-13T23:24:16Z")
So the question is–if he does bail, does it essentially turn into a Clinton Town Hall? Or do they cancel them? (I seriously doubt they’d open it up to the 3rd party candidates if he chose not to appear) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/73 "2016-09-13T23:25:12Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > Naw, I just get to have a sickeningly smug grin of satisfaction if I’m right. Thats enough. I didn’t think you had much confidence in that prediction. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2016, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/74 "2016-09-14T01:30:56Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > So the question is–if he does bail, does it essentially turn into a Clinton Town Hall? Or do they cancel them? I’d love for them to borrow Clint Eastwood’s empty chair. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/75 "2016-09-17T16:41:54Z")
It is my fondest desire, nay dream, that someone in the town hall debate would ask Trump a basic civics question: “Mr. Trump, say I’m a newcomer to this country. Can you explain to me how a bill becomes a law?” I would bet pretty much all I have that he would be unable to answer it coherently. ---
**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 17, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/76 "2016-09-17T17:19:44Z")
What’s interesting is, he’s loudly objecting to Cooper for the second debate – but not to Holt for the first. And I may be giving Trump too much credit, here, but consider: if he doesn’t win the first debate, he can keep making a big show of objecting to Cooper while going into the second as a self-portrayed underdog looking for the win in a debate that’s rigged against him, hoping Hillary says something stupid… …but if Trump gets lucky and _wins_ the first debate, all while objecting to Cooper; and then pulls out of the second as per his registered-in-advance objections to Cooper, then hey, declare victory and go home, right? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2016, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/77 "2016-09-17T19:06:28Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > What’s interesting is, he’s loudly objecting to Cooper for the second debate – but not to Holt for the first. And I may be giving Trump too much credit, here, but consider: if he doesn’t win the first debate, he can keep making a big show of objecting to Cooper while going into the second as a self-portrayed underdog looking for the win in a debate that’s rigged against him, hoping Hillary says something stupid… > > …but if Trump gets lucky and _wins_ the first debate, all while objecting to Cooper; and then pulls out of the second as per his registered-in-advance objections to Cooper, then hey, declare victory and go home, right? It has crossed my mind that polls show Trump ‘winning’ or drawing even in a debate and then declaring that he’s tired of the debates and that there’s nothing new here to see. Same is true if he gets bludgeoned by Hillary. I think there’s a 98 percent chance he does the first, but maybe a 50/50 chance he does all three. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2016, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/78 "2016-09-18T06:16:21Z")
> [@skdo23](#): > > For example, before the relevant debates everyone knew that [Bush I and Bill Clinton](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffbFvKlWqE) were running on two different economic philosophies, that [Rick Perry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uvmKnFY4uk) was adamant about eliminating what he viewed as wasteful government bureaucracy, and that [Mitt Romney](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK3ORgw-h_4) thought that our military had grown weak and ineffective under Obama, but only as scripted talking points. The debates were what gave us the necessary insight to evaluate their true understanding of the underlying issues and their abilities to address them and their performances went on to define what voters thought of these candidates as a whole. Sure, that makes sense if you don’t have strong opinions one way or the other. I was describing my own feelings on the matter. My point is that I vote based on their positions, and their positions aren’t going to change in the debate. I see who defends their position better just as “who’s the better public speaker,” which is not an issue to me. And while I can see using it to evaluate competency–like when defending a thesis, I’ve never had any reason to doubt competency until this election. And I already know who isn’t competent from all the huge amount of campaigning already. I get why it might be important to the undecideds, who actually wind up deciding the election. I was just explaining why I never really watch (and why I had no idea if teleprompters were allowed). It’s just never been relevant _to me_. ---
**Author:** ![Sputnikkk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Sputnikkk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sputnikkk)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/79 "2016-09-18T14:36:50Z")
I’m going to be really disappointed if I have to miss out on the chance to be entertained by Trumps word salad answers at the debates. I’m hoping for responses like when asked about the threat of cyberterrorism— Trump: “Well that’s it, and, you know cyber is becoming so big today. It’s becoming something that a number of years ago, a short number of years ago, wasn’t even a word. And now the cyber is so big. And, you know, you look at what they’re doing with the internet, how they’re taking recruiting people through the internet. And part of it is the psychology because so many people think they’re winning. And, you know, there’s a whole big thing. Even today’s psychology, where CNN came out with a big poll, their big poll came out today that Trump is winning. It’s good psychology.” ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2016, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577/80 "2016-09-18T19:40:06Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > It has crossed my mind that polls show Trump ‘winning’ or drawing even in a debate and then declaring that he’s tired of the debates and that there’s nothing new here to see. Same is true if he gets bludgeoned by Hillary. I think there’s a 98 percent chance he does the first, but maybe a 50/50 chance he does all three. I’ll give you favourable odds and bet against those things. He will be at all the debates. He’ll be early. To do otherwise would devastate him in the polls but, most importantly, would be him turning down free PR, which Trump will absolutely not do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-one-or-more-clinton-trump-debates/761577.md?page=5)