Next presidential debate to be virtual

[Muse]

The Commission on Presidential Debates said on Thursday that the next debate between President Trump and Joseph R. Biden Jr. would be held virtually because of health concerns about the coronavirus.

But President Trump immediately dismissed the idea, declaring that he would not participate and calling the idea of a remote debate “ridiculous.”

The above from today's NY Times.

Consider: Trump was spewing covid-19 germs during Debate #1, shouting at Joe. His family in attendance (besides his wife) refused to abide by the rules and wear masks. His entire entourage has turned into a covid-19 hot spot. Where does he get the gall to call these terms ridiculous?

A virtual debate might seem like a technological marvel of the Zoom-heavy pandemic era, but there is a precedent dating back 60 years to the dawn of mass media campaigns.

In 1960, the third debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon was held remotely. Kennedy debated from a television studio in New York; Nixon appeared from Los Angeles.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Trump buggered off. He won't be doing it. He's afraid of the fly.

 

[K1052]

The image of Trump, muted by the moderator, on video raging silently would be frankly hilarious.

 

[Muse]

Trumpie just wants to share his blessing from God with Joe.

 

[pete6032]

If Trump won't do it, the debate should still happen. Give Biden 90 minutes of air time to talk to America. That should be the option for Trump. Attend and debate or let your opponent have the time.

 

[Muse]

Oooo... Trump said "I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate." I wonder what better use of his time he's contemplating. Tweeting? Trump heaven is room service, a TV and his Tweet machine. Honestly, I think Joe makes him nervous.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Assuming it happens


Hello Russia are you listening?
You will be greatly rewarded if Joe Biden has technical difficulties.

 

[HomerJS]

Oooo... Trump said "I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate." I wonder what better use of his time he's contemplating. Tweeting?

Trump's not showing up? Biden should just have it and take question from people. Screw Trump. Use the time for a free infomercial. Also use the time to promote voting and where to get information

 

[Muse]

Trump's not showing up? Biden should just have it and take question from people. Screw Trump. Use the time for a free infomercial

Well, if it happens, Trump will show up... virtually. He'll be at a disadvantage because his grasp of the issues, his exposure to facts, particularly his ability to summon facts when he needs them... actual facts... are close to negligible. He wants to engage in a battle of personalities. The prospect of a virtual debate fills him with dread. But it's the best idea yet from the commission.

 

[Bitek]

Oooo... Trump said "I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate." I wonder what better use of his time he's contemplating. Tweeting? Trump heaven is room service, a TV and his Tweet machine. Honestly, I think Joe makes him nervous.

Looks like he's losing his shit more than normal today. Total collapse. The experimental drugs are hitting him hard.

It is very possible he flip flops on this (like everything else) but either way it's going to be a wild ride with all eyes on his drama and chaos.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

lol you thought Trump talked over Biden enough in-person? If they do virtual it will just be constant with a delay.

 

[Viper GTS]

IMO they need to hold it as planned and just do two minutes of empty podium closeup after every Trump directed question.

Viper GTS

 

[soundforbjt]

The commision will back down, wait and see.
I hope they don't but they'll bend to Trump.

 

[Bitek]

lol you thought Trump talked over Biden enough in-person? If they do virtual it will just be constant with a delay.

Which will piss people off even more, especially all the people used to WFH/SFH and virtual meetings over the last year.

Two debates now the T team have been obnoxious jackasses, and this behavior will further sink him.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Something that will piss me off is if the commission gives in to Trump. Worse if Joe agrees to let Trump off the hook. This demonstrates the cowardly petulant nature of Trump and Joe being Nice Guy would be a huge mistake.

 

[Muse]

The commission should show backbone and not back down. They've decided and backing down makes no sense. There's no information that the Trump people can provide to justify a reversal. If anything, the Trump people have shown themselves to be on the wrong side of covid-19 safety discussions, from a nation wide standpoint, and concerning themselves personally. They thumbed their noses at the commission, the Cleveland Clinic too at the first debate. They have this coming.

 

[thilanliyan]

lol you thought Trump talked over Biden enough in-person? If they do virtual it will just be constant with a delay.

It might actually be easier to mute either candidate if they're doing what Trump and Pence were doing in both debates.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

The commision will back down, wait and see.
I hope they don't but they'll bend to Trump.

I agree

 

[vi edit]

Hope Trump does bail and Biden stays in. Give him a solid 90 minute town hall.

 

[Commodus]

I'm not convinced the commission will bow to Trump. It can simply point out that Trump is still infected and that there won't be an in-person event unless he has multiple negative tests. It's a safety issue, simple as that.

 

[vi edit]

And yeah, hope the commission stands strong. This man has to have people stand up to his bully tactics.

 

[WelshBloke]

I'm not convinced the commission will bow to Trump. It can simply point out that Trump is still infected and that there won't be an in-person event unless he has multiple negative tests. It's a safety issue, simple as that.

Id imagine that there would be certain liability issues with hosting an in person debate with a known covid positive member.

 

[Roger Wilco]

According to CNN, the commission unanimously decided to hold a virtual debate. That would be quite a walk back if they cave to Trump.

 

[NWRMidnight]

Did anyone expect another reaction from Trump? The Man Child doesn't know how to debate. All he knows how to do is try to yell, intimidate, Bully, distract with lies and manipulated personal attacks.. When not in the same room, he can't as easily do most of those, can't try to intimidate the moderator, and people will see thru his charade.

 

[zinfamous]

Hope Trump does bail and Biden stays in. Give him a solid 90 minute town hall.

I'm not sure they would be allowed to do that. ...I think there is some broadcasting licensing when it comes to presidential election policy/fairness, especially as it relates to the official debates, that each candidate has to be given "Equal airtime." Obviously all candidates for years have essentially been flouting this as they extend their time and talk over each others, Trump of course taking that to new, petulant levels of playground asshatery, but nonetheless, I *don't think* any Network would be allowed to air one of the official debates as one candidate participating.