Weeks ago, I thought it was a very bad idea for this debate to occur. I feared that Biden might come across to the public just as he did. I knew Trump would lie in every utterance. But it did not feel right to give Trump the national stage as a legitimate presidential candidate. For crying out loud, he is a 34-times-and-counting convicted felon. He should not even be in the conversation in this year’s presidential race.
I have been in the news business for six decades. I have seen stories like Biden’s fitness pushed to the backburner by other stories. This could happen with the flap over Biden’s mental sharpness. The immunity ruling and the sentencing of Trump in New York are going to take the spotlight off Biden’s “performance” Thursday night.
If Democrats remove Biden from the ticket, they almost surely will lose in November. They need to embrace him, stress that he had a cold, which he appeared clearly to have, put him in public settings to show his strength (once he is over the cold) and move forward. He is not the first incumbent president to do badly in the first debate. This is something of a rite of passage for incumbents. We are electing/re-electing a national magistrate, not a debater.
If we had had these damn debates in the 1940s, FDR clearly would not have won a third or fourth term. He might not even have been elected. The man was confined to a wheelchair. Imagine what today’s snotty critics would have said of him. But from that wheelchair he led the country through the Great Depression and World War II, and created the world we live in to this very moment.
In my 80 years, there have been three transformative U.S. presidents: FDR, LBJ, and Joe Biden. To throw him under the bus based on a sorry showtime performance is wrongheaded. Yes, I wish he were 20 years younger. But then, I wish I were, too. I will take his decency, leadership, and experience any day of the week over that of a charlatan who wants to dump democracy. The latter needs to be the focus of Democrats and the country.
I appreciate all you say here, Rick. Thank you for comments. Yet, the spectacles we call debates, at least the so called political ones are not debates. Undergraduate debate class was tough as was parliamentary procedure class. I’m up for authentic debates but certainly not game for what “debate” has devolved into.
Like you, I’d kind of like to be 20 years younger too. I’ll be 70 in two weeks. And although people seem disbelieving of my age, or so I’ve been told, I feel every bit of 70. Thankfully I discovered Tai Chi for arthritis after years of overzealous exercise. If only I’d begun a Tai Chi practice 20 years ago! You take care. I always enjoy Politics NC news from Mills and comments.
I agree with you completely. Do we choose a man who has integrity, compassion and love of country or do we choose a man who is a convicted felon? One of these men denigrates our county at every turn and divides us for his own purposes. I don't have a problem making that choice and neither should any other sane rational person.
Heather Cox Richardson is right. "People like Heather Cox Richardson are telling us that Biden won the debate because his answers were substantive while Trump’s were mostly boasting, evasive, and lies." Thanks, HCC.
Biden's performance was very predictable if you've been watching his unscripted comments. Optics are everything, especially to low-information voters. This was probably the only debate (can you even call it that?) and he simply blew it. The question is not only his election but his ability to do the job, isn't that what voters are trying to decide? I'm 83 and in good shape physically and mentally, but I keep asking myself , before last night, what kind of ego-driven fantasy would drive someone in his 80s to seek the most important job on the planet. Trump is the most flawed presidential candidate in history and look at the Dems worrying about hurting Biden's feelings. This candidate won't win in November, but there are choices...Witmer, Landrieu, Cooper, Booker, Newsome. Harris is not the heir apparent, and she knows it.
I do not believe it’s tenable for Joe Biden to remain in the race. It’s unrealistic to believe Democrats can bounce back and enthusiastically work for his reelection. I also believe no one is more aware of this than Joe Biden himself.
Kamala Harris is too smart to step in to head the ticket; she knows that if she does and then loses ( which is likely) she will never be President. But, if the Dems were to find a suitable candidate for President, and Harris said publicly that she can best serve by remaining vice president where she can continue fighting for women and minorities, she will preserve her ability to run for President in four or eight years.
To those who say Biden is the only person who can beat Trump I say hogwash. Josh Shapiro and Roy Cooper would be good candidates. But the best, in my opinion, is Pete Buttigieg. Young, smart as a whip, fast on his feet, and has proven himself in his many appearances on Fox News.
Buttigieg will excite the young and gay voters of all parties. And if he and Harris agree on the pairing, I believe the ticket can easily exceed 300 electoral votes.
Win or lose, Democrats will have passed the torch to a new generation and Kamala Harris is positioned to run for President in four or eight years.
Yes, it sounds too easy. Please, tell me why I’m wrong.
The Biden ship has sailed. He is just a little older than Trump but much wiser. Look at his Cabinet and his staff. He has chosen folks with experience and character. So Iafter this holiday, I am back on streets in Havelock knocking on doors of Independents of Democrats, talking about the danger Opportunity
grants pose for NC public schools.I am pushing a compete blue ticket. Get over it. One bad night does not end a Presidency. Who moved the Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem? Do you think Trump would lift a finger against Russia or No Korea?
I heard the debate between Trump and Biden. It was far from ideal, with Trump’s statements often contradicting known facts, a behavior often associated with individuals who have something to hide. A prime example was his denial of any sexual relationship with the adult film actor he compensated, a matter for which he was later found guilty of misconduct related to misrepresentation intended to deceive state authorities regarding the handling of the payment. Furthermore, his narrative about his management of the economy and the significance of NATO in maintaining global peace continued to be inconsistent with reality.
Biden criticized Trump for his comments about the 2017 white supremacist rally in Virginia. He referred to Trump as a “whiner” over his statements that Capitol riot defendants were too harshly treated. He also called him a “loser” and a "child". Biden attempted to counter Trump’s assertions with facts, although his delivery was halting Despite Trump’s confident demeanor, Biden tried to highlight the inaccuracies in Trump’s statements. Biden’s responses were seen as less forceful and he lost his train of thought at times, As the debate progressed, Biden started to take big swings against his opponent to change the momentum.
Although Biden appeared to be dealing with what may has been called a cold, or flu, which may have given him voice issues on occasions, but he did make his points for the most part. The one quality of basic honesty and integrity shined through.
Honesty wins every time. Of course, it will take a few days to run the polls, anybody would have to admit in good conscious that trump is not playing with a full deck in the political poker game. He comes up short in acting and looking presidential or demonstrating any comprehension of the what the job entails. Regardless of less than a stellar performance in the first debate, Biden remains more popular than the small fingered, vulgar, the educationally challenged excuse for a man, Donald John Trump.
Thomas, you're right. At this point we can stress Trump's lies from the debate and Biden's apparent cold. We can contrast Biden's substantive answers against Trump's lies. That'll help but will not make up for the appearance of being feeble. Democrats should publicize a doctor's clean bill of health for Biden. They should do as you suggest for Harris and make her known as if she were the candidate though obviously it would be a mistake to make her the candidate at this point. Kamala Harris can be the bridge to reach young people like your daughters. Harris can reassure them that if Biden's health fails, she is prepared, capable, and an excellent replacement for Biden during his next term (should his health fail). Convincing older people that Harris is an excellent replacement should Biden falter might be an impossible task, but that isn't the task. Harris is there to convince younger people and independents that she has our backs if Biden can't do it. She should be given a more prominent role in the campaign, as if the Democratic campaign really were a campaign for the team of Biden and Harris instead of the campaign for Biden with Harris as an afterthought. Also, if Trump refuses another debate like you predict, Democrats should should emphasize that Trump was willing to debate when Biden had a cold but is afraid to debate Biden when Biden is over his cold.
Donald Trump is a rapist (sexual assault), defamer, fraudster in business, and felon say the N. Y. courts and juries. N. Y. citizens and courts know him best. After all, he lived there the longest and they heard the evidence in fair impartial trials. He had the best lawyers money could buy and the lawyers selected the judge or helped select the juries.
Donald Trump is also a traitor and has wrongfully kept and hidden national-classified-security records. What did he intend to do with our records? Due to his false claims, the 2020 election is the first time we have not had a peaceful transition of power in our country. Many of his supporters attacked the Capitol and others wrongly claimed to be selected electors when they were not. They sought to negate the votes of the majority of our voters. Shame on them. We Biden voters are the ones who should be mad, not Trump supporters.
Those are on top of Trump being impeached twice and not being convicted by two thirds majorities in the U. S. Senate, although a majority did each time vote for his conviction.
He was a terrible president, more interested in increasing his own wealth than in the nation’s welfare. His transactional presidency meant those who could pay enough received what they wanted and everyone else suffered. His Washington hotel, other hotels and his adult children benefitted.
He conned Christians to believe he was their “savior” in political matters. They should have paid closer attention to his past, his words, and his actions. He promoted hate and bad behavior.
Donald Trump’s campaign sought, accepted, and benefitted from help from Russians in his 2016 campaign. In 2016 he promised to build a wall across our southern border and that Mexico would pay for it. He was president for four years. Most of the wall was never built and, of course, Mexico was never going to pay for it. Some of his former advisors promised to build a wall with private donations and promised they would not benefit themselves. They lied and were later convicted.
At his campaign rallies, he and others said Mrs. Clinton would “go to jail.” However, neither of his two Attorney Generals nor his FBI Directors found anything that allowed her to be indicted, tried, or sent to jail. He pardoned many from his 2016 campaign or followers after they were convicted.
He sought to weaken NATO and had his supporters delay funding from Ukraine while they fought a vicious war Russia had started. His actions regarding North Korea accomplished nothing and now North Korea provides ammunition and weapons to Russia in their war against Ukraine. Will western Europe and America be next?
During his first term as president, he had a steady overturn of top officials and many of those did not perform well. Some of the best now do not endorse his election. He defamed those in his own party and strangers/immigrants who sought a better life here.
While president, he did not place his businesses into a true blind trust since they were run by relatives who could regularly consult him or he could order them to take actions. He used family members as officials and they benefitted through relations they developed while he was in office.
His leadership failed during the CO-VID epidemic leading to more deaths than there should have been.
His actions against Iran allowed the situation to become worse and not improve, letting the nuclear threat worsen.
His traffics here on China’s imports increased costs for American consumers, led to delays, and led to China not purchasing American tobacco, soybeans, and grains, hurting farmers.
His tax reductions greatly benefitted the richest Americans while increasing the standard exemption for most people thus removing the use of deductions for churches and charities. Additionally, the law helped developers more than the common citizens.
He wants to change the federal civil service system of employees so all employees will, in effect, be political employees only loyal to him rather than being competent employees loyal to our nation.
Donald Trump is an over-privileged, foul-mouthed, self-centered, angry and lying bully who desires to be a dictator, demands the worse from his MAGA followers and seeks to avoid accountability for his actions. He is the opposite of who people of faith and patriots should seek as president.
Overall, he was a poor president, not even an honest leader. Trump lacks traits needed by a servant leader.
I now think the best case scenario is we win/keep either the House or Senate. Then we hold on until the midterms, at which point - due to Trump’s implementation of Project 25 - we take both. That can keep WWIII at bay (literally) until 2028, at which point we finally get a trifecta as Trump will have incinerated the Republican Party. The only way out is through, we’re going to lose in 2024 and anyone who says otherwise is delusional.
Thomas, Should Biden step aside, I question if you are right that Kamala Harris would/should replace him as the candidate for president? She is first in line now, but why does that status make it inevitable that she become Biden's successor as the standard-bearer for the party?
I am not a “told you so” type. I’ve known in my own way of Biden’s stubborn streak and felt unease that he never stepped up to pass the torch. Now is now. I think a return to sacred places like the NC mountains or wherever we go for sustenance makes sense as summer’s heat thickens and oppresses. We continue to go through an epochal change. It’s a wild ride.
Weeks ago, I thought it was a very bad idea for this debate to occur. I feared that Biden might come across to the public just as he did. I knew Trump would lie in every utterance. But it did not feel right to give Trump the national stage as a legitimate presidential candidate. For crying out loud, he is a 34-times-and-counting convicted felon. He should not even be in the conversation in this year’s presidential race.
I have been in the news business for six decades. I have seen stories like Biden’s fitness pushed to the backburner by other stories. This could happen with the flap over Biden’s mental sharpness. The immunity ruling and the sentencing of Trump in New York are going to take the spotlight off Biden’s “performance” Thursday night.
If Democrats remove Biden from the ticket, they almost surely will lose in November. They need to embrace him, stress that he had a cold, which he appeared clearly to have, put him in public settings to show his strength (once he is over the cold) and move forward. He is not the first incumbent president to do badly in the first debate. This is something of a rite of passage for incumbents. We are electing/re-electing a national magistrate, not a debater.
If we had had these damn debates in the 1940s, FDR clearly would not have won a third or fourth term. He might not even have been elected. The man was confined to a wheelchair. Imagine what today’s snotty critics would have said of him. But from that wheelchair he led the country through the Great Depression and World War II, and created the world we live in to this very moment.
In my 80 years, there have been three transformative U.S. presidents: FDR, LBJ, and Joe Biden. To throw him under the bus based on a sorry showtime performance is wrongheaded. Yes, I wish he were 20 years younger. But then, I wish I were, too. I will take his decency, leadership, and experience any day of the week over that of a charlatan who wants to dump democracy. The latter needs to be the focus of Democrats and the country.
Rick Gunter
I appreciate all you say here, Rick. Thank you for comments. Yet, the spectacles we call debates, at least the so called political ones are not debates. Undergraduate debate class was tough as was parliamentary procedure class. I’m up for authentic debates but certainly not game for what “debate” has devolved into.
Thank you.
Like you, I’d kind of like to be 20 years younger too. I’ll be 70 in two weeks. And although people seem disbelieving of my age, or so I’ve been told, I feel every bit of 70. Thankfully I discovered Tai Chi for arthritis after years of overzealous exercise. If only I’d begun a Tai Chi practice 20 years ago! You take care. I always enjoy Politics NC news from Mills and comments.
I agree with you completely. Do we choose a man who has integrity, compassion and love of country or do we choose a man who is a convicted felon? One of these men denigrates our county at every turn and divides us for his own purposes. I don't have a problem making that choice and neither should any other sane rational person.
Americans still have the same choice: Vote for a lying, traitorous felon who is desired for his autocratic desires, or vote for Biden.
Heather Cox Richardson is right. "People like Heather Cox Richardson are telling us that Biden won the debate because his answers were substantive while Trump’s were mostly boasting, evasive, and lies." Thanks, HCC.
Biden's performance was very predictable if you've been watching his unscripted comments. Optics are everything, especially to low-information voters. This was probably the only debate (can you even call it that?) and he simply blew it. The question is not only his election but his ability to do the job, isn't that what voters are trying to decide? I'm 83 and in good shape physically and mentally, but I keep asking myself , before last night, what kind of ego-driven fantasy would drive someone in his 80s to seek the most important job on the planet. Trump is the most flawed presidential candidate in history and look at the Dems worrying about hurting Biden's feelings. This candidate won't win in November, but there are choices...Witmer, Landrieu, Cooper, Booker, Newsome. Harris is not the heir apparent, and she knows it.
I do not believe it’s tenable for Joe Biden to remain in the race. It’s unrealistic to believe Democrats can bounce back and enthusiastically work for his reelection. I also believe no one is more aware of this than Joe Biden himself.
Kamala Harris is too smart to step in to head the ticket; she knows that if she does and then loses ( which is likely) she will never be President. But, if the Dems were to find a suitable candidate for President, and Harris said publicly that she can best serve by remaining vice president where she can continue fighting for women and minorities, she will preserve her ability to run for President in four or eight years.
To those who say Biden is the only person who can beat Trump I say hogwash. Josh Shapiro and Roy Cooper would be good candidates. But the best, in my opinion, is Pete Buttigieg. Young, smart as a whip, fast on his feet, and has proven himself in his many appearances on Fox News.
Buttigieg will excite the young and gay voters of all parties. And if he and Harris agree on the pairing, I believe the ticket can easily exceed 300 electoral votes.
Win or lose, Democrats will have passed the torch to a new generation and Kamala Harris is positioned to run for President in four or eight years.
Yes, it sounds too easy. Please, tell me why I’m wrong.
The Biden ship has sailed. He is just a little older than Trump but much wiser. Look at his Cabinet and his staff. He has chosen folks with experience and character. So Iafter this holiday, I am back on streets in Havelock knocking on doors of Independents of Democrats, talking about the danger Opportunity
grants pose for NC public schools.I am pushing a compete blue ticket. Get over it. One bad night does not end a Presidency. Who moved the Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem? Do you think Trump would lift a finger against Russia or No Korea?
I wonder what the reaction will be for Biden’s Raleigh appearance this afternoon
I heard the debate between Trump and Biden. It was far from ideal, with Trump’s statements often contradicting known facts, a behavior often associated with individuals who have something to hide. A prime example was his denial of any sexual relationship with the adult film actor he compensated, a matter for which he was later found guilty of misconduct related to misrepresentation intended to deceive state authorities regarding the handling of the payment. Furthermore, his narrative about his management of the economy and the significance of NATO in maintaining global peace continued to be inconsistent with reality.
Biden criticized Trump for his comments about the 2017 white supremacist rally in Virginia. He referred to Trump as a “whiner” over his statements that Capitol riot defendants were too harshly treated. He also called him a “loser” and a "child". Biden attempted to counter Trump’s assertions with facts, although his delivery was halting Despite Trump’s confident demeanor, Biden tried to highlight the inaccuracies in Trump’s statements. Biden’s responses were seen as less forceful and he lost his train of thought at times, As the debate progressed, Biden started to take big swings against his opponent to change the momentum.
Although Biden appeared to be dealing with what may has been called a cold, or flu, which may have given him voice issues on occasions, but he did make his points for the most part. The one quality of basic honesty and integrity shined through.
Honesty wins every time. Of course, it will take a few days to run the polls, anybody would have to admit in good conscious that trump is not playing with a full deck in the political poker game. He comes up short in acting and looking presidential or demonstrating any comprehension of the what the job entails. Regardless of less than a stellar performance in the first debate, Biden remains more popular than the small fingered, vulgar, the educationally challenged excuse for a man, Donald John Trump.
Thomas, you're right. At this point we can stress Trump's lies from the debate and Biden's apparent cold. We can contrast Biden's substantive answers against Trump's lies. That'll help but will not make up for the appearance of being feeble. Democrats should publicize a doctor's clean bill of health for Biden. They should do as you suggest for Harris and make her known as if she were the candidate though obviously it would be a mistake to make her the candidate at this point. Kamala Harris can be the bridge to reach young people like your daughters. Harris can reassure them that if Biden's health fails, she is prepared, capable, and an excellent replacement for Biden during his next term (should his health fail). Convincing older people that Harris is an excellent replacement should Biden falter might be an impossible task, but that isn't the task. Harris is there to convince younger people and independents that she has our backs if Biden can't do it. She should be given a more prominent role in the campaign, as if the Democratic campaign really were a campaign for the team of Biden and Harris instead of the campaign for Biden with Harris as an afterthought. Also, if Trump refuses another debate like you predict, Democrats should should emphasize that Trump was willing to debate when Biden had a cold but is afraid to debate Biden when Biden is over his cold.
Donald Trump is a rapist (sexual assault), defamer, fraudster in business, and felon say the N. Y. courts and juries. N. Y. citizens and courts know him best. After all, he lived there the longest and they heard the evidence in fair impartial trials. He had the best lawyers money could buy and the lawyers selected the judge or helped select the juries.
Donald Trump is also a traitor and has wrongfully kept and hidden national-classified-security records. What did he intend to do with our records? Due to his false claims, the 2020 election is the first time we have not had a peaceful transition of power in our country. Many of his supporters attacked the Capitol and others wrongly claimed to be selected electors when they were not. They sought to negate the votes of the majority of our voters. Shame on them. We Biden voters are the ones who should be mad, not Trump supporters.
Those are on top of Trump being impeached twice and not being convicted by two thirds majorities in the U. S. Senate, although a majority did each time vote for his conviction.
He was a terrible president, more interested in increasing his own wealth than in the nation’s welfare. His transactional presidency meant those who could pay enough received what they wanted and everyone else suffered. His Washington hotel, other hotels and his adult children benefitted.
He conned Christians to believe he was their “savior” in political matters. They should have paid closer attention to his past, his words, and his actions. He promoted hate and bad behavior.
Donald Trump’s campaign sought, accepted, and benefitted from help from Russians in his 2016 campaign. In 2016 he promised to build a wall across our southern border and that Mexico would pay for it. He was president for four years. Most of the wall was never built and, of course, Mexico was never going to pay for it. Some of his former advisors promised to build a wall with private donations and promised they would not benefit themselves. They lied and were later convicted.
At his campaign rallies, he and others said Mrs. Clinton would “go to jail.” However, neither of his two Attorney Generals nor his FBI Directors found anything that allowed her to be indicted, tried, or sent to jail. He pardoned many from his 2016 campaign or followers after they were convicted.
He sought to weaken NATO and had his supporters delay funding from Ukraine while they fought a vicious war Russia had started. His actions regarding North Korea accomplished nothing and now North Korea provides ammunition and weapons to Russia in their war against Ukraine. Will western Europe and America be next?
During his first term as president, he had a steady overturn of top officials and many of those did not perform well. Some of the best now do not endorse his election. He defamed those in his own party and strangers/immigrants who sought a better life here.
While president, he did not place his businesses into a true blind trust since they were run by relatives who could regularly consult him or he could order them to take actions. He used family members as officials and they benefitted through relations they developed while he was in office.
His leadership failed during the CO-VID epidemic leading to more deaths than there should have been.
His actions against Iran allowed the situation to become worse and not improve, letting the nuclear threat worsen.
His traffics here on China’s imports increased costs for American consumers, led to delays, and led to China not purchasing American tobacco, soybeans, and grains, hurting farmers.
His tax reductions greatly benefitted the richest Americans while increasing the standard exemption for most people thus removing the use of deductions for churches and charities. Additionally, the law helped developers more than the common citizens.
He wants to change the federal civil service system of employees so all employees will, in effect, be political employees only loyal to him rather than being competent employees loyal to our nation.
Donald Trump is an over-privileged, foul-mouthed, self-centered, angry and lying bully who desires to be a dictator, demands the worse from his MAGA followers and seeks to avoid accountability for his actions. He is the opposite of who people of faith and patriots should seek as president.
Overall, he was a poor president, not even an honest leader. Trump lacks traits needed by a servant leader.
I now think the best case scenario is we win/keep either the House or Senate. Then we hold on until the midterms, at which point - due to Trump’s implementation of Project 25 - we take both. That can keep WWIII at bay (literally) until 2028, at which point we finally get a trifecta as Trump will have incinerated the Republican Party. The only way out is through, we’re going to lose in 2024 and anyone who says otherwise is delusional.
Thomas, Should Biden step aside, I question if you are right that Kamala Harris would/should replace him as the candidate for president? She is first in line now, but why does that status make it inevitable that she become Biden's successor as the standard-bearer for the party?
I am not a “told you so” type. I’ve known in my own way of Biden’s stubborn streak and felt unease that he never stepped up to pass the torch. Now is now. I think a return to sacred places like the NC mountains or wherever we go for sustenance makes sense as summer’s heat thickens and oppresses. We continue to go through an epochal change. It’s a wild ride.