# Will you watch the debates? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 29, 2020, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813 "2020-09-29T12:59:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**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 30, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/121 "2020-09-30T01:40:23Z")
Ah, there it is: trump paid $750 in taxes… ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/122 "2020-09-30T01:47:50Z")
I’m out. Somehow, fate put the shittiest president and the shittiest debate moderator under the same roof tonight. If Biden doesn’t just walk out before the end, he’s a better man than me. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/123 "2020-09-30T01:48:39Z")
There’s another thread up, this is not the active thread on the debate. ---
**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 30, 2020, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/124 "2020-09-30T01:50:30Z")
I can’t take any more anyway… and there are THREE more of these?? 😱 ---
**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:** [September 30, 2020, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/125 "2020-09-30T01:52:04Z")
Clown in orange greasepaint. Biden: “Try to be honest.” 😃 Biden (paraphrased): “Trump is full of dogwhistles.” ---
**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:** [September 30, 2020, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/126 "2020-09-30T02:28:17Z")
Not a fan of debates. And who by now doesn’t have an opinion on Trump? Will one debate change that? So wasn’t going to watch it. But I did for an hour or so. I don’t think it will change anyone’s opinion. An awful lot of interrupting. _Without seeing all the questions in written form_, the moderation seemed okay (under tough circumstances) and the questions reasonably tough but fair. But this would demand a more serious view to evaluate bias. Trump always reminds me of the personification of a hemorrhoid. ---
**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:** [September 30, 2020, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/127 "2020-09-30T02:36:41Z")
Some of the challenges of moderating. You wouldn’t have thought Wallace was Fox Fodder on the basis of this debate alone. > **[Trump-Biden debate moderators face a huge challenge | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/25/opinions/2020-trump-biden-debate-moderators-huge-challenge-graham/index.html)** > > Debate coach Todd Graham takes a look at the four main areas of criticism aimed at presidential debate moderators -- bias, not controlling the candidates, failing to address important issues and overstepping bounds -- and gives tips on how this... ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/128 "2020-09-30T02:37:35Z")
Biden was fine. He remained coherent right through and got his talking points across. Trump was angry and red-faced and interrupting a lot but it won’t help him. Getting into a fight repeatedly with Wallace was a bad look. ---
**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:** [September 30, 2020, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/129 "2020-09-30T02:50:59Z")
I agree, but I prefer one of the candidates which may affect perception. It would have been difficult for any moderator to control this debate. Trump’s strategy seemed to involve deliberate interruption. Trump controlled the debate. Wallace didn’t, but tried. Controlling a debate is different from from winning Biden came off much better, but few Trump supporters will agree. ---
**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:** [September 30, 2020, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/130 "2020-09-30T03:02:08Z")
But I won’t waste any time watching the other two. I may be a slow learner, but I am usually a good one. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/131 "2020-09-30T03:10:46Z")
I suspect that Kamala Harris will crush Mr. Mother under her shoe. ---
**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:** [September 30, 2020, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/132 "2020-09-30T03:15:03Z")
Pence, after removing his tongue from dark places, often comes across better than one might expect in interviews. But you are probably right. ---
**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 30, 2020, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/133 "2020-09-30T03:18:32Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I suspect that Kamala Harris will crush Mr. Mother under her shoe. Will Mother allow Mikey to be alone on the stage with Kamala? Those Black women are supposed to be sexually voracious. ---
**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 30, 2020, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/134 "2020-09-30T03:26:49Z")
I woefully underestimated my tolerance for that bloviating toad and had to leave the room after 20 minutes. It was disgraceful. I hope Biden cancels the rest of the debates. It’s pointless for him to stand up there and be bullied by that ignorant twat. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/135 "2020-09-30T03:38:22Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I hope Biden cancels the rest of the debates. It’s pointless for him to stand up there and be bullied by that ignorant twat. I agree. The Biden campaign should insist on a mute button and bow out when the Trump campaign refuses. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/136 "2020-09-30T04:20:19Z")
> [@urbanredneck2](#): > > > [@QuickSilver](#): > > > > I will try. But only in the deep hope that Biden will finally do what the majority of the country has been wanting to do for 4+ years – punch Trump in his lying wet mouth and make him bleed and cry. Anything short of that will be deeply disappointing and ultimately a waste of time for anyone not in the MAGACult. > > You know, that would be funny if Biden looses his composure so much he does take a shot at Trump. What then would happen? Would Biden fall, trip, or have a seizure? > > Well it doesnt matter the democrats will still stand behind him. An unlikely occurrence, to be sure, but the bare fact is that everybody who doesn’t actively hate America SHOULD stand behind him even if he does trip, fall, or have a seizure (or even all three). It’s all about not hating America, folks. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/137 "2020-09-30T04:23:11Z")
My modest proposal, made early this cycle, was that both campaigns be required to post a, say, $2 million bond, held in escrow by the Commission on Presidential Debates. For every second a candidate spends interrupting his opponent, $100,000 will be donated to the other candidate’s campaign fund. If $2 million isn’t enough to get their attention or change their behavior, double the amount for the next debate. In the alternative, for every second you interrupt, five extra seconds are awarded to the other candidate for his closing remarks and deducted from your own time. ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/138 "2020-09-30T06:04:40Z")
I’m in the lower percentile of political saviness around here but holy shit that seems like a terrible idea. (well the mute button sounds almost orgasmic). But man, wouldn’t Biden bowing out be campaign suicide? You think Trump, Hannity, Tucker, BlondeNazi, and the morning couchstooges wouldn’t have a field day with that? I’m gonna stop short of asking you to please take it back. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/139 "2020-09-30T06:35:38Z")
Yes it would be extremely foolish for Biden to drop out which would make it look like he lost the debate and can’t take any more. The debate actually went fine for him and if Trump repeats his tactics they will work even worse against moderators who are expecting it. Maybe Biden needs to be more forceful when he is interrupted but otherwise he just need to carry on with what he doing. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2020, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813/140 "2020-09-30T06:40:46Z")
I watched the middle of the debate - including the President endorse and support white supremacists. So, there was that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-watch-the-debates/921813.md?page=8)