# VP debate (Oct 7)- Is there a watch/follow-along thread? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 8, 2020, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459 "2020-10-08T00:45:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/341 "2020-10-08T20:19:24Z")
The problem is that if they are too strict, some candidates might not be willing to debate. They candidates want to see in control, not be overruled by someone with a louder voice. It makes sense to use someone with political experience whom the candidates know. But they don’t need to be so easily talked over. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/342 "2020-10-08T20:28:58Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > Vaudeville-style hook. 🙂 Chuck Barris-style gong? Maxwell Smart-style Cone of Silence? > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’d like to see a system of lights for each debater; green while they still have time, yellow when ten seconds are left, and red when time is up, with the microphone cut off ten seconds later. Or a shot clock. ---
**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, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/343 "2020-10-08T20:29:31Z")
> **[I Am the Fly That Landed in Mike Pence’s Hair. Here’s Why I’m Supporting...](https://slate.com/culture/2020/10/debate-fly-mike-pence-hair-endorses-trump-death-decay-beelzebub-and-so-on.html)** > > Four more years! Forty-eight more life cycles! > Hello, America! I am the housefly that perched atop Mike Pence’s head for [two solid minutes](https://twitter.com/bubbaprog/status/1314029118279897089) during Wednesday night’s vice presidential debate, and I’d like to talk to you about the future of this great nation. Like some of you, I was undecided when I began watching the debate, because, as with some of you, my brain is the size of a poppyseed. But when I heard Mike Pence outline the Trump administration’s plans, I knew there was only one ticket I could trust to protect me and the 150 or so eggs I laid in the vice president’s hair. Today I am thrilled to wholeheartedly endorse Donald J. Trump for president. > > You may be confused as to why I am offering an endorsement in the first place, since most Americans share molecular physicist Seth Brundle’s pernicious misconception that “[insects don’t have politics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW_08LCWp34).” It’s true that we’re not big on compromise, but it’s also true that we love garbage, and we love corpses, and we love shit, and you don’t have to have one of those big ugly mammalian brains to tell which political party is committed to materially improving our lives. No president in my life cycle—which began two weeks ago, when I was a maggot happily gnawing my way through a rotten Egg McMuffin in a dumpster behind Kingsbury Hall—has done more to roll back environmental regulations, ensuring that my family and I have a constant supply of garbage where we can live, laugh, and love. No president in my life cycle has provided more dead Americans for us to eat, working tirelessly to overwhelm hospitals and morgues, presumably for our benefit. And no administration in history, never mind my life cycle, has been as dedicated to shit in all its forms—bullshit, horseshit, and of course the literal shit that inevitably accompanies a diet of fast food and Diet Coke—pumping it into the airwaves, the sewers, and the skulls of their supporters. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/344 "2020-10-08T20:31:02Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > Ann Coulter tweeted that the pick of Harris as VP was affirmative action. She said Amy, Pete or Bernie would have done better. Better as a debater, better as a candidate, or better as an actual VP? ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/345 "2020-10-08T20:40:40Z")
If the source was Ann Coulter, does it really matter? (a koan for our time…) ---
**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:** [October 8, 2020, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/346 "2020-10-08T20:40:54Z")
I thought the moderator did what she could. What’s she supposed to do? I say just switch off the goddamned mics. When it’s Harris’ question, her mic is on a two minute timer, and Pence’s is off. And vice versa. If a candidate wants to really shout in front of a mic that ain’t on to be a jag, let the world see him try. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/347 "2020-10-08T20:49:11Z")
What’s she supposed to do? How about asking, in the form of a question, “The next question is for Vice President Pence: why are you unable to stop talking when you are told? You say you’re in favor of law and order, so why can’t you obey even this very simple rule?” Why is it that I, a total nobody, have better ideas about how to moderate a debate, than the people who actually moderate the debates? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/348 "2020-10-08T20:54:38Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > The problem is that if they are too strict, some candidates might not be willing to debate. Candidates debate because it’s free publicity. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2020, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/349 "2020-10-08T20:55:28Z")
That’s cool. I favor the dead mic approach. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/350 "2020-10-08T21:02:40Z")
They can get publicity in a lot of different places, though. Maybe they want to debate but only if they can control the terms - lots of different media groups would like the gravitas of hosting a big debate. Whatever Trump says will be reported by the _mainstream_ media. There is a reason he is going to hold a rally on _The Rush Limbaugh_ show. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/351 "2020-10-08T21:40:59Z")
Missed this item, they are sold out. > **[The Biden campaign started selling fly swatters right after the debate....](https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/08/business/biden-campaign-fly-swatter-trnd/index.html)** > > The Biden campaign didn't miss a beat trying to capitalize on the, um, buzz of the vice presidential debate. Two hours later, the Biden campaign website was peddling $10 [“Truth Over Flies” swatters](https://store.joebiden.com/truth-over-flies-fly-swatter/). And within a few hours more, a campaign spokesperson said, the nearly 35,000 swatters had sold out. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/352 "2020-10-08T21:45:17Z")
> [@Temporary\_Name](#): > > By-the-way, speaking if fire breathing dragons, I have never seen an episode of GAME OF THRONES, is it really a documentary of the Trump administration? No. With few exceptions, the villains in that one are mostly pretty competent. ---
**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, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/353 "2020-10-08T22:10:20Z")
Then there’s the > **[Museum unveils Pence fly bobblehead](https://thehill.com/homenews/news/520271-museum-unveils-pence-fly-bobblehead/)** > > The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a new bobblehead on Thursday commemorating the moment during the 2020 vice presidential debate where a fly appeared on Vice President Pence’… ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/354 "2020-10-08T22:41:21Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > The problem isn’t that journalists are moderating. The problem is that the debate rules worked reasonably well with reasonable people who understood and followed them. Trump upended that. I doubt he’s ever watched a debate. Likely his core supporters haven’t either, at least until 2016. Trump and his followers therefor see debate not as the well-ordered exchange and challenge of views but as a WWE match. _Ha! Look at Trump creamin’ that guy! He’s not letting him get a word in! And he’s showing that moderator a thing or two. Attaboy, Mr. President!_ I still advocate the suggestion I made somewhere (perhaps previously in this very thread). Make the rules hard and fast – unavoidable, signed in the candidates own blood. Then the rules are simple, the first three (or five) times you have to be told to quit talking you get a warning – no real consequence. If the moderator admonishes you and you still don’t shut up you get two warnings. After say, six warnings – your opponent gets five uninterrupted minutes to speak on whatever topic they choose. Then the debate resumes. If you get two additional warnings you are asked to leave the stage and the opposition continues alone on stage (on all those networks!) for the remaining time. This version would have worked well with Pence, for Trump you would have to double or triple the number of freebies up front. You could get him to agree to it if he thinks he can go right to the brink with no consequence (so he is getting something for nothing) but then he will not shut up and be asked to leave. Or he will shut up and play by the rules, either way a win. ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/355 "2020-10-08T23:28:08Z")
No no no. Pence left the fly alone because now he can say he has a black friend! ---
**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:** [October 8, 2020, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/356 "2020-10-08T23:33:07Z")
Which insect would represent his only Asian friend? Or his only Hispanic friend? Or gay friend? Or is this joke about his ‘black friend’ not really all that funny? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/357 "2020-10-09T00:00:35Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Which insect would represent his only Asian friend? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/pNNspunhxUM/maxresdefault.jpg "L'invasion des coccinelles asiatiques, un danger?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNNspunhxUM) > [@](#): > > Or his only Hispanic friend? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/zP56ge4LTmk/maxresdefault.jpg "Butterfly Rainforest Moment: Mexican Kite Swallowtail") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP56ge4LTmk) > [@](#): > > Or gay friend? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/JFdw3LMwi-4/hqdefault.jpg "Insect - Beetle: Rainbow Scarab Beetle") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFdw3LMwi-4) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/358 "2020-10-09T00:06:17Z")
The fly observed the two-minute limit better than he did. (Shamelessly stolen from one of the newspapers.) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/359 "2020-10-09T18:22:12Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Which insect would represent his only Asian friend? Japanese Murder Hornet? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2020, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459/360 "2020-10-09T18:48:56Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > She did use plain “Joe” quite a bit, no doubt to appear more down-to-earth. > [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Didn’t Obama call him “Joe” pretty much exclusively? But at the same time, it’s worth noting that near the beginning, the mod accidentally called her Kamala, than immediately corrected herself and said ‘I’m sorry, Senator Harris’. Kamala replied by saying “That’s fine, I’m Kamala”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vp-debate-oct-7-is-there-a-watch-follow-along-thread/922459.md?page=19)