# Will/should the Democratic nominee shake hands with Trump? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 9, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553 "2019-10-09T21:34:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/1 "2019-10-09T21:34:47Z")
Assuming Trump agrees to a debate, which is no sure thing, standard protocol is to shake hands at the start of the proceedings. For the first time in modern political history, I tend to lean toward thinking the Democratic presidential nominee should not shake his hand. But how would this go over politically? Does it conflict with a pledge to restore civility and traditional political norms? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/2 "2019-10-09T21:39:22Z")
He should, providing he drops a deuce immediately before the debate and doesn’t wash his hands. Debates have jumped the shark. Nobody changes his mind about a candidate any more, we’re going to vote for our tribe’s man and watch the debates as cheerleaders. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/3 "2019-10-09T21:49:44Z")
Refusing to shake hands with Trump would probably backfire more than it would help, especially if Trump is the one to extend his hand first and the (D) refuses. It would just look petty on TV. ---
**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 9, 2019, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/4 "2019-10-09T21:51:59Z")
No. He is due no sign of respect and I’m going to have a hard time respecting any candidate who shows him such. It would demonstrate weakness to partake in act of civility with a person who has proven that he will not hesitate to be uncivil. What is the candidate to do after the handshake? Declare civility in our time? I see no consequence to eschewing the handshake, or the whole so-called debate either. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/5 "2019-10-09T22:07:49Z")
Assuming the candidate is someone physically stronger than Trump (which most of them probably are), they should give him a crushing grip, because Trump’s reaction to that, whatever it was, would be a great visual. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2019, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/6 "2019-10-09T22:23:47Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Assuming Trump agrees to a debate, which is no sure thing, standard protocol is to shake hands at the start of the proceedings. For the first time in modern political history, I tend to lean toward thinking the Democratic presidential nominee should not shake his hand. But how would this go over politically? Does it conflict with a pledge to restore civility and traditional political norms? The nominee should shake hands. The last thing we need is an angry Republican using that as a reason to whip up emotion or even violence. Trump might refuse a handshake anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/7 "2019-10-09T22:51:03Z")
^^ Yeah, I see it the other way around. Trump won’t shake hands with anyone, even republicans. ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/8 "2019-10-09T22:52:36Z")
I, as an independent, would rather vote for who seems like the adult in the room. This doesn’t seem like good adulting to me, but at the same time, they would be shaking hands with a big man baby, so I guess it wouldn’t matter as much? Not wanting to shake his hand could be perceived by some to be fear based, however. YMMV Trump is a tool. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/9 "2019-10-09T22:58:14Z")
Refusing to debate him could look fear-based. Walking up to him, staring him in the eyes, and saying that he has disgraced the office of the presidency, then turning and walking to the podium, would not look cowardly. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/10 "2019-10-09T23:07:39Z")
What would be even better - walk up and give him a Hongi The traditional Māori greeting, the hongi is performed by two people pressing their noses together; some include, at the same time, the touching of foreheads. The greeting is used at traditional meetings among Māori people, and at major ceremonies, such as a pōwhiri. It may be followed by a handshake. Wikipedia ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/11 "2019-10-09T23:16:17Z")
My fantasy is the Democratic nominee selecting Mayor Pete for VEEP. And at the vice presidential debate watching Mike Pence trying to avoid shaking hands. I rather doubt Trump will allow a debate. But if he does for some reason, the Democratic candidate should be civil at least until it comes time for him or her to start calling Trump the liar he is. * * * Given Trump’s utter disdain for the Constitution, I wonder if he’d somehow try to postpone and eventually cancel the election. He has spoken about deserving an investigation free additional term, serving for more than eight years and getting his son elected. He has also called the impeachment investigation an attempted coup. (And when Trump makes an accusation, it’s actually a confession.) None of that sounds all that pro-democracy to me. And, after all, how many jets and tanks does Congress control? {_I know that last paragraph sounds insane, but after the last several days, it no longer seems totally out of the realm of possibilities._ } ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/12 "2019-10-09T23:38:51Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > What would be even better - walk up and give him a Hongi > > The traditional Māori greeting, the hongi is performed by two people pressing their noses together; some include, at the same time, the touching of foreheads. The greeting is used at traditional meetings among Māori people, and at major ceremonies, such as a pōwhiri. It may be followed by a handshake. Wikipedia I have a hard time imagining the sight of a (D) candidate giving Trump a Hongi revving up the D-vote. ---
**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:** [October 10, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/13 "2019-10-10T00:47:21Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > The nominee should shake hands. The last thing we need is an angry Republican using that as a reason to whip up emotion or even violence. Yes, let’s make them put a little effort into inventing a different thing to get outraged over. ---
**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:** [October 10, 2019, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/14 "2019-10-10T00:48:30Z")
The Democratic nominee should shake the President’s hand. Even if it’s Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/15 "2019-10-10T01:02:57Z")
The cool thing to do is to start to shake the hand, but instead do a smooth move where you bring your hand up and run it through your hair instead. Add in a wink and a “too slow” - I can actually picture Biden doing this. So, yeah, the best thing is to just shake the man’s tiny hand and be done with it. ---
**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 10, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/16 "2019-10-10T01:27:54Z")
After the way that deviant fuck stalked around the stage while Hillary Clinton was taking her turn, no. He gave up the right to be treated with respect, particularly at a debate. ---
**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:** [October 10, 2019, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/17 "2019-10-10T01:35:44Z")
His own daughter wouldn’t let him touch her at the little on-stage cocktail party afterward. It was beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/18 "2019-10-10T03:02:30Z")
Yes. An absolute bone-crushing handshake that leaves Trump on his knees gasping for breath and crying out softly like a little babe. I can dream. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/19 "2019-10-10T03:30:45Z")
I can’t believe that this is actually something that anyone would even have to ask about. Of course.they should shake hands. Or at least offer to. Two stupids don’t make a smart. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/20 "2019-10-10T03:49:00Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I have a hard time imagining the sight of a (D) candidate giving Trump a Hongi revving up the D-vote. Neither do I - but the R reaction would sure as hell be amusing [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553.md?page=2)