Presidential Debates 2024

[Jaymann]

How many want Harris to do another debate?

Both sides are pushing their candidate to do another, but I'd rather Harris didn't. I don't think there is any benefit to another, and the risk that Trump has any kind of improvement at the next isn't worth the risk.

Agreed. Harris has little to gain now that DonOld has been exposed as the crazy, weird uncle. Let DonOld stew in his own juices. Since he never admits to being wrong, he will continue to double down on his insane rhetoric.

[El Guapo]

How many want Harris to do another debate?

Both sides are pushing their candidate to do another, but I'd rather Harris didn't. I don't think there is any benefit to another, and the risk that Trump has any kind of improvement at the next isn't worth the risk.

Agreed. Harris has little to gain now that DonOld has been exposed as the crazy, weird uncle. Let DonOld stew in his own juices. Since he never admits to being wrong, he will continue to double down on his insane rhetoric.

I dunno. In general it seems like the more she can expose people directly to unfiltered Trump the better off she is. Debates are one of the rare instances when low information voters can see Trump as he is.

[Zaxxon]

[Jaymann]

This to me is the best result. Harris can play up the line that DonOld is afraid to debate her.

[Unagi]

[Unagi]

/bammed

[Unagi]

What's funny is how Trump wants to say that he won the debate so obviously that he has absolutely nothing else to prove, but he also really wants to say that it was an ambush and that it was 3 vs 1 and that he only did so poorly because she was given the questions ahead of time.

[stimpy]

Not sure what channel I watched this on, but they had 3 undecided voters watch the debate.
Afterwards, when questioned whether any of them were swayed by either candidate, not one person said they were.

Small sample size, but I think it speaks to the overall feeling.
If you didnt know before the debate, you probably didnt know after.

Not having another debate does nothing to change that, so I'm kind of leaning towards wanting another one to see if Kamala can do better or Trump can do worse and get some of those undecided voters.

[Zaxxon]

I imagine that Trump will change his mind 3-4 times between now and the next scheduled debate, so I wouldn't take that tweet to the bank just yet.

[LordMortis]

I dunno. In general it seems like the more she can expose people directly to unfiltered Trump the better off she is. Debates are one of the rare instances when low information voters can see Trump as he is.

How many low information voters that can be persuaded by a debate will be watching another debate, though? I guess the number might be more than zero, so there's that. Much more likely, IMO, is a media looking to find fault with Harris gets a tiny kernel of something (or heaven forbid something real) to give low information voters who don't watch the debate and now have a reason to either be indifferent or assuage their conscience that TFG can't be as bad as he is made out to be by ___ fill in the blank.

I do like the idea of Harris calling out his head down no eye contact cowardice labeled champion with nothing to prove and if she has to debate again, it's probably worth the price.

[Jaymann]

I dunno. In general it seems like the more she can expose people directly to unfiltered Trump the better off she is. Debates are one of the rare instances when low information voters can see Trump as he is.

How many low information voters that can be persuaded by a debate will be watching another debate, though? I guess the number might be more than zero, so there's that. Much more likely, IMO, is a media looking to find fault with Harris gets a tiny kernel of something (or heaven forbid something real) to give low information voters who don't watch the debate and now have a reason to either be indifferent or assuage their conscience that TFG can't be as bad as he is made out to be by ___ fill in the blank.

I do like the idea of Harris calling out his head down no eye contact cowardice...

I didn't think of that but those images with an overlay of chicken noises would be priceless.

[Pyperkub]

It occurred to me today that it's possible we are in a timeline where Taylor Swift literally saves the world.

337k last night.

Taylor Swift's post endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the White House on Tuesday drove at least 337,826 users to visit the site vote.gov, a sign of the potential effect her decision to speak out could have on November's election.

It's not out of the question.

While that's great for 2024, the idea of a celebrity being able to swing a presidential election isn't really something I'd celebrate.

Trump's sole qualification in 2016 was being a celebrity.

Speaking for myself, him being a celebrity had nothing to do with voting for him.
At the time, my thought was that we needed a non politician to go in and shake things up.
Hopefully get some new, fresh ideas into an old, stale environment.

So yeah.......

He got some consideration from me for that as well - there were some things in the run up that he said he'd do, that I was in favor of (cybersecurity, infrastructure) etc. and there was a possibility that he'd be better than Clinton on them.

BUT. he was running a campaign mostly based on immigrant hatred, lock her up lies, etc. with the long trend of GOP 21st Century madness backing him, in addition to the fact that he was a REALLY bad businessman.

And, as we saw, he was as incompetent and authoritarian and leaned into the worst of just about everything. My true ire is targeted at those who voted for him in 2020, but it hits full fever for those who defend January 6th. I think every single GOP congress person who voted not to certify and/or not to impeach for that betrayed their Oath of Office and should be banned for life from politics, and some should be in prison (including most of Trump's circle).

[YellowKing]

If you're undecided at this point, you're probably too ignorant to be making decisions that affect other people's lives. It's not like you're trying to choose between two shades of blue to paint your bedroom. Frankly I think some of the so-called "undecided voters" just like the attention.

[Carpet_pissr]

How many want Harris to do another debate?

Both sides are pushing their candidate to do another, but I'd rather Harris didn't. I don't think there is any benefit to another, and the risk that Trump has any kind of improvement at the next isn't worth the risk.

Agreed. Harris has little to gain now that DonOld has been exposed as the crazy, weird uncle. Let DonOld stew in his own juices. Since he never admits to being wrong, he will continue to double down on his insane rhetoric.

I dunno. In general it seems like the more she can expose people directly to unfiltered Trump the better off she is. Debates are one of the rare instances when low information voters can see Trump as he is.

Low information voters probably don't read the news much, and certainly didn't watch the debate.

[Carpet_pissr]

This to me is the best result. Harris can play up the line that DonOld is afraid to debate her.

Agree. If he says no, he looks weak and scared. If he folds after saying no, then agrees, he looks wishy washy and will very likely embarrass himself again. Win/win!

[Carpet_pissr]

If you're undecided at this point, you're probably too ignorant to be making decisions that affect other people's lives. It's not like you're trying to choose between two shades of blue to paint your bedroom. Frankly I think some of the so-called "undecided voters" just like the attention.

Agree, or don't want to admit who they are really voting for, or just ashamed to say "I don't care, and won't be voting"

[LordMortis]

Look? He obviously is weak and scared and wishy washy to anyone paying any attention whatsoever. Only his frailty is kept locked behind his everything is best or worst ever ego and is protected by sycophants who think he will protect their Dragon's hoard or want to make the libs cry or at their worst are just unleashing their full bigot.

[El Guapo]

I dunno. In general it seems like the more she can expose people directly to unfiltered Trump the better off she is. Debates are one of the rare instances when low information voters can see Trump as he is.

How many low information voters that can be persuaded by a debate will be watching another debate, though? I guess the number might be more than zero, so there's that. Much more likely, IMO, is a media looking to find fault with Harris gets a tiny kernel of something (or heaven forbid something real) to give low information voters who don't watch the debate and now have a reason to either be indifferent or assuage their conscience that TFG can't be as bad as he is made out to be by ___ fill in the blank.

I do like the idea of Harris calling out his head down no eye contact cowardice labeled champion with nothing to prove and if she has to debate again, it's probably worth the price.

Two months from now the memory of the debate will have faded. Getting another direct dose of Trump would be helpful, I think.

But there's risk either way. Moot unless Trump goes back on his "no more debates" thing.

[Kraken]

How many want Harris to do another debate?

Both sides are pushing their candidate to do another, but I'd rather Harris didn't. I don't think there is any benefit to another, and the risk that Trump has any kind of improvement at the next isn't worth the risk.

Debates usually favor the challenger/underdog. I don't think that describes Kamala anymore. Unless the polls all turn unexpectedly down, giving TFG a second chance isn't a smart gamble (as much as I enjoyed watching her humiliate him the first time). Right now it feels like Harris is rapidly building a movement comparable to Obama's, so let's just run with that.

If you're undecided at this point, you're probably too ignorant to be making decisions that affect other people's lives. It's not like you're trying to choose between two shades of blue to paint your bedroom. Frankly I think some of the so-called "undecided voters" just like the attention.

Agree, or don't want to admit who they are really voting for, or just ashamed to say "I don't care, and won't be voting"

FWIW an estimated 67.7 million watched the trump-Harris debate, vs. about 50M for trump-Biden.

[LordMortis]

FWIW an estimated 67.7 million watched the trump-Harris debate, vs. about 50M for trump-Biden.

My old-age addled brain interprets that as a good sign for Harris. It says to me 17.7 million more people were interested in seeing how she could make a difference and they got to see her fire vs his timid confusion.

[Kraken]

FWIW an estimated 67.7 million watched the trump-Harris debate, vs. about 50M for trump-Biden.

My old-age addled brain interprets that as a good sign for Harris. It says to me 17.7 million more people were interested in seeing how she could make a difference and they got to see her fire vs his timid confusion.

Probably some of that, and some of it just being after Labor Day, when people start paying attention. To the un-politically inclined, watching Biden v. trump was just a rerun. Boring!

[hepcat]

The Walz/Vance debate could be really interesting. I think Walz will absolutely destroy him on personality, but Vance is a very good bullshit artist. He can sit there with a straight-face and rattle off lies, half-truths, and deflections in an even monotone without breaking a sweat. I don't see any way he would win a matchup against Walz; he's just too stiff - but he's not going to just hand Walz a victory by getting rattled.

Vance isn't stupid. He's got zero charisma, can't deliver a speech worth shit, and he has no spine. But he's well educated and can think on his feet...somewhat.

Trump is crafty with his brand...and that's about it. He knows how to get the spotlight. But he's a goddamn moron. I think a lot of people try to make him out to be some evil genius behind the scenes. But he's not. He's a friggin' idiot beyond that one thing that the Kim Kardashians and the Paris Hiltons of the world know.

So while I have a feeling that Walz will come across as the more stable, less creepy person on that stage. I don't think it's going to be a walk in the park like some think. It's not going to a knock out like Trump vs Harris where Walz baits him into ranting and foaming at the mouth in front of millions of viewers. It's going to be personality and policy vs policy alone.

[waitingtoconnect]

Right now it feels like Harris is rapidly building a movement comparable to Obama's, so let's just run with that.

She's growing into the role there is no doubt in my mind. Which is a pleasant surprise. I think she has what it takes to be a good president.

To be honest the choice is far far starker than 2016. Its not just status quo v a newcomer, it's a vote for if we continue to be a democracy at the federal level or if good ol' boy southern "democracy" will be our nation's future. And likely many of our allies too given how many Trump copycat poltiicans their are in France, the UK and Australia.

2016, most who voted for him thought Trump was a change of pace who would improve the status quo. And he used the electoral college to get elected.

Its probably not been this way since the 1850s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political ... ted_States

[Holman]

So while I have a feeling that Walz will come across as the more stable, less creepy person on that stage. I don't think it's going to be a walk in the park like some think. It's not going to a knock out like Trump vs Harris where Walz baits him into ranting and foaming at the mouth in front of millions of viewers. It's going to be personality and policy vs policy alone.

The thing about Vance is that basically no one heard of him (aside from credulous media types who fell for his book) until he entered the senate. He doesn't have a public identity besides "ex-hillbilly right-wing politician."

However, because he apparently loves the sound of his own voice, he has dedicated the past half-decade to sitting down with right-wing and weird-incel podcasters to produce soundbites that make him sound like one of the bad guys in The Handmaid's Tale. He talks like a college freshman whose new older frat brother just turned him on to Jordan Peterson.

I hope Walz is studying and memorizing Vance quotes about "the postmenopausal female" and etc to throw in his face. The guy is, yes, completely and un-Americanly Weird.

[Unagi]

FWIW an estimated 67.7 million watched the trump-Harris debate, vs. about 50M for trump-Biden.

My old-age addled brain interprets that as a good sign for Harris. It says to me 17.7 million more people were interested in seeing how she could make a difference and they got to see her fire vs his timid confusion.

Yep - same here.

[YellowKing]

To be honest the choice is far far starker than 2016. Its not just status quo v a newcomer, it's a vote for if we continue to be a democracy at the federal level or if good ol' boy southern "democracy" will be our nation's future.

It's far, far starker than 2016 and 2020. This time around, Trump has essentially been granted unlimited power. The one check on his tyranny, the rule of law, has been obliterated.

[Jaymann]

President Harris should start every one of her announcements: "It is my duty as President..."

[Kraken]

To be honest the choice is far far starker than 2016. Its not just status quo v a newcomer, it's a vote for if we continue to be a democracy at the federal level or if good ol' boy southern "democracy" will be our nation's future.

It's far, far starker than 2016 and 2020. This time around, Trump has essentially been granted unlimited power. The one check on his tyranny, the rule of law, has been obliterated.

And has stated his intention to be a monarch, and understands what prevented him the first time. We already lived through the dress rehearsal.

But this isn't news in this forum.

[Grifman]

One of my favorite debate moments:



“You were fired . . . “

[ImLawBoy]

He talks like a college freshman whose new older frat brother just turned him on to Jordan Peterson.

Nailed it. Perfect description.

[El Guapo]

So while I have a feeling that Walz will come across as the more stable, less creepy person on that stage. I don't think it's going to be a walk in the park like some think. It's not going to a knock out like Trump vs Harris where Walz baits him into ranting and foaming at the mouth in front of millions of viewers. It's going to be personality and policy vs policy alone.

The thing about Vance is that basically no one heard of him (aside from credulous media types who fell for his book) until he entered the senate. He doesn't have a public identity besides "ex-hillbilly right-wing politician."

However, because he apparently loves the sound of his own voice, he has dedicated the past half-decade to sitting down with right-wing and weird-incel podcasters to produce soundbites that make him sound like one of the bad guys in The Handmaid's Tale. He talks like a college freshman whose new older frat brother just turned him on to Jordan Peterson.

I hope Walz is studying and memorizing Vance quotes about "the postmenopausal female" and etc to throw in his face. The guy is, yes, completely and un-Americanly Weird.

One question I have if you're Walz is do you also throw in lines from Vance's pre-MAGA period where he compares Trump to Hitler and the like? Could be pretty effective in both weakening Vance among MAGA sympathizers and broadly making the point that he can't be trusted. One risk is that the "you can't trust what he says" part may give those who don't like what he's saying now an out - 'oh he's just saying his current stuff to please Trump but doesn't actually believe the crazy stuff.'

[Unagi]

I imagine there is going to be some direct confrontation/question about the whole 'weird' thing, and that it will force a certain tactic from Walz on the question you put forth.

[Isgrimnur]

Two Springfield public schools evacuated, one closed due to threats

Two Springfield City School District elementary schools were evacuated and a middle school was closed Friday morning after threats against the buildings were made, according to school officials.

Perrin Woods Elementary School and Snowhill Elementary School students were evacuated from their buildings Friday morning and moved to an "alternate district location," according to a SCSD news release. The district is currently dismissing students to their parents.

Additionally, Roosevelt Middle School was closed before the start of the school day related to the same threats.
...
Friday marks the second day in a row that Springfield public school students were evacuated after the city gained national attention for unfounded right-wing rumors about the community's Haitian immigrant population.
...
Thursday's evacuation of Fulton Elementary School was based on information received from the state fire marshal, school officials said.

A copy of Thursday's bomb threat acquired by the USA Today Network disparaged Springfield's Haitian community and referenced false claims, spread by prominent conservative figures like former president Donald Trump, that immigrants were eating pets and wildlife.

The author of Thursday's bomb threat said they had planted bombs in Springfield City Hall, Springfield Driver Exam Station, Ohio License Bureau Southside, Springfield Academy of Excellence and Fulton Elementary School.

[TheMix]

You know, it's almost as if people are the problem...

[Isgrimnur]

[Blackhawk]

It's amazing how often I read that line and think it's part of a post.

It's more amazing how often it's fitting.

[Isgrimnur]

Trump drags [geese] into his debunked claims Haitian migrants are eating pets in Ohio

[TheMix]

It's more amazing how often it's fitting.

A comment I have made myself, many, many, many times.

[EvilHomer3k]

The Walz/Vance debate could be really interesting. I think Walz will absolutely destroy him on personality, but Vance is a very good bullshit artist. He can sit there with a straight-face and rattle off lies, half-truths, and deflections in an even monotone without breaking a sweat. I don't see any way he would win a matchup against Walz; he's just too stiff - but he's not going to just hand Walz a victory by getting rattled.

Walz could eat the moderator's pets on live tv and he'd still win on personality. Vance would lose a personality contest to a mime.

[naednek]

It occurred to me today that it's possible we are in a timeline where Taylor Swift literally saves the world.