# 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:** 2
**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 10, 2019, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/21 "2019-10-10T04:19:09Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > 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. That’s cool if you believe the Democratic nominee should shake his hand. I can see valid arguments for that position. But I don’t see how you can just dismiss the question as though it’s an absurd one. Is there anything Trump can say that would change your mind about this? Let’s say we get to the debate (we’ll say against Biden) and Trump has not only made fun of Jill Biden’s looks, but has openly speculated that Joe Biden purposely arranged to have his first wife and one of his kids killed to be able to later get sympathy votes in a presidential campaign. Or maybe he’ll claim that Joe Biden‘s dad was actually the assassin who killed MLK. Should Joe walk up and shake such a person’s hand? ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/22 "2019-10-10T05:14:28Z")
Did Roosevelt shake hands with Hitler? Did Lincoln shake hands with Davis? No, they demanded unconditional surrender. That’s what you do when faced with an enemy committed to the destruction of your country’s government and the enslavement of its people. ---
**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 10, 2019, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/23 "2019-10-10T05:28:44Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > 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. If it’s Warren, she should give him an Indian burn. 🙂 ---
**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 10, 2019, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/24 "2019-10-10T05:39:05Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Did Roosevelt shake hands with Hitler? > Did Lincoln shake hands with Davis? > > No, they demanded unconditional surrender. That’s what you do when faced with an enemy committed to the destruction of your country’s government and the enslavement of its people. I can see it now: Warren will go on stage, Trump will extend his hand in greeting, and she will refuse to shake, standing stiffly at attention: “The only acceptable act on your part is total and unconditional surrender!” Moderators: “All right, shall we proceed? First question of the night…” ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/25 "2019-10-10T06:01:48Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > 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? What a silly post. People on different sides said the same thing in regards to cancelling elections about Presidents Obama, Bush, et. al. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/26 "2019-10-10T06:36:32Z")
Shake his hand then immediately look down at it in amused amazement while mouthing the words: “Wow! It’s really, _really_ small!!” Or, if the Dem nominee is feeling magnanimous, a fist-bump. I hate T-rump with the fire of 1,000 Zippos but even I would have to smile if Trumpy and Biden/Warren/Whoever fist-bumped before a debate. ---
**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, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/27 "2019-10-10T06:53:12Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > What a silly post. People on different sides said the same thing in regards to cancelling elections about Presidents Obama, Bush, et. al. Did you miss the part where he pointed out that it was Donald Trump saying these things? Sure, other people said that Bill Clinton, George Bush, or Barack Obama would try to remain in office past eight years. But none of those men ever said it. ---
**Author:** ![Unreconstructed\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/76d3ee/32.png) [@Unreconstructed\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unreconstructed_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/28 "2019-10-10T07:54:41Z")
The shaking hands thing is tricky. If the Democratic nominee doesn’t do it he looks petty, which will cost him votes with moderates. If he does do it our screechy hyper annoying progressive base will throw a shit fit that’ll make the rest of us look like idiots, be picked up and amplified for the best part of a week on FOX and social media, and \* also\* cost us votes with moderates. Best thing to do, I think, is shake his hand but yank it aggressively like he does in a way which says “Yeah, I’m shaking your hand, but I still hate your fucking guts”. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/29 "2019-10-10T08:34:25Z")
How about this? They shake politely, and then when Trump turns away, they take some wipes out and calmly clean their hand. A small bottle of sanitizer would also be good. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/30 "2019-10-10T12:39:25Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > 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. If the Democratic nominee does shake hands, s/he will piss off people who absolutely will vote for them anyway. If s/he does not, they will piss off people who might vote for them, or might vote for the other guy. Pretty simple cost/benefit analysis. Shake his hand. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/31 "2019-10-10T13:05:20Z")
> [@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 That sounds all right, but I would give half of what I own to see the Democratic candidate instead perform a _Haka_ at the start of the debate. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/32 "2019-10-10T13:06:43Z")
How about spitting on your hand, then stick it out to shake? Let Trump refuse to shake. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/33 "2019-10-10T13:30:44Z")
Shake his hand, but wear a latex glove. Then after you shake his hand, peel off the glove and throw it away with a look of disgust. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/34 "2019-10-10T13:37:08Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > That sounds all right, but I would give half of what I own to see the Democratic candidate instead perform a _Haka_ at the start of the debate. I was going to propose _Namaskar,_ but I love the idea of a _Haka._ The pistoning arms, stamping feet, and rhythmic shouting would frighten the pussy ass bitch into terrified retreat, bone spurs and all. ---
**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 10, 2019, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/35 "2019-10-10T14:28:04Z")
> [@Unreconstructed\_Man](#): > > The shaking hands thing is tricky. If the Democratic nominee doesn’t do it he looks petty, which will cost him votes with moderates. \*\* If he does do it our screechy hyper annoying progressive base will throw a shit fit that’ll make the rest of us look like idiots, be picked up and amplified for the best part of a week on FOX and social media, and \* also\* cost us votes with moderates. \*\* I think half of the responses in this thread are really over-analyzing a molehill into a mountain. Do people really think the handshake will become an issue like that? It’s something that people wouldn’t even notice or think about unless someone hyped up a big deal about it. 99% of the post-debate focus is going to be on things that Trump and the Democratic candidate said during the debate, not about some handshake that takes all of 1 second. In fact, this sounds almost like some sabotage job that 4chan would try to do: Deliberately hype up “The Handshake Issue” among Democrats until it takes on monumental meaning, thus paralyzing the candidate with indecision over what would, 99% of the time, be an utterly insignificant and unnoticeable thing. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/36 "2019-10-10T14:34:16Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The Democratic nominee should shake the President’s hand. > > Even if it’s Trump. This is my opinion. The nominee is interviewing for the job of POTUS. It’s a job requiring a great deal of self-disciplined diplomacy, especially in the wake of the current administration. We need someone who can demonstrate the ability to show deep grace in the face of any number of repulsive situations. The incumbent will suffer humiliations earned by the current President, meant to test whether the voters have found their ground and hired a better person. Debates are the best place to show us they can handle it. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/37 "2019-10-10T15:18:54Z")
Trump plays dominance games through his handshakes. Anyone shaking hands with him should prepare in advance. [Donald Trump's strange handshake style and how Justin Trudeau beat it – video | US news | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2017/feb/14/donald-trumps-strange-handshake-style-and-how-justin-trudeau-beat-it-video-explainer) ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/38 "2019-10-10T15:35:01Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > How about this? They shake politely, and then when Trump turns away, they take some wipes out and calmly clean their hand. > > A small bottle of sanitizer would also be good. First, the Democratic candidate has to watch out for Trump’s twist and pull handshaking method. Then he/she should shake hands but then when he/she pulls the hand away, sniff it tentatively, make a slightly disgusted face like it now smells, then wipe it off with a kerchief. Or just give Trump the stink palm. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/39 "2019-10-10T17:18:57Z")
OK, how’s this? Trump sticks out his hand, and the Democrat produces a pair of handcuffs. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553/40 "2019-10-10T18:16:57Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I think half of the responses in this thread are really over-analyzing a molehill into a mountain. Do people really think the handshake will become an issue like that? It’s something that people wouldn’t even notice or think about unless someone hyped up a big deal about it. 99% of the post-debate focus is going to be on things that Trump and the Democratic candidate said during the debate, not about some handshake that takes all of 1 second. It’s the little things that can turn an election. Al Gore lost major points during the Bush debates with his eye rolling and condescending sighs. While any one thing by itself may not be enough to lose the election, it all adds up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-should-the-democratic-nominee-shake-hands-with-trump/841553.md?page=3)