Should Biden agree to debate Trump?

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DisarmedDespot

Senior member
Jun 2, 2016
591
592
136
Biden's already agreed to at least some debates, but they should be as few as possible.

I actually don't doubt Biden's debate skills, I just doubt that debates can hurt Trump in any way. The fat tiny-handed oompa loompa could shit himself on national television and his supporters wouldn't bat an eyelash. Hillary creamed him in all the debates, but it didn't hurt him in the slightest. His supporters don't watch the debates, they watch the edited clips posted in their circle-jerk groups on facebook.
 

woolfe9998

Lifer
Apr 8, 2013
16,189
14,114
136

Then you're like the 21 player who doesn't hit a 12 because you had a gut feeling a 10 would come up, even though hitting the 12 is the better bet 70% of the time. Polls have error margins, but they are better than gut feels, which are essentially worthless.
 
Feb 4, 2009
35,245
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Then you're like the 21 player who doesn't hit a 12 because you had a gut feeling a 10 would come up, even though hitting the 12 is the better bet 70% of the time. Polls have error margins, but they are better than gut feels, which are essentially worthless.

I admit no science behind this, I fear 2020 will prove me right
 

ch33zw1z

Lifer
Nov 4, 2004
38,198
18,669
146
Biden's already agreed to at least some debates, but they should be as few as possible.

I actually don't doubt Biden's debate skills, I just doubt that debates can hurt Trump in any way. The fat tiny-handed oompa loompa could shit himself on national television and his supporters wouldn't bat an eyelash. Hillary creamed him in all the debates, but it didn't hurt him in the slightest. His supporters don't watch the debates, they watch the edited clips posted in their circle-jerk groups on facebook.

He shit himself for the liberal tears. Delicious tears, how intolerant of a man who shits himself on stage can you be? Libtard hypocrite.
 
Feb 4, 2009
35,245
16,716
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He shit himself for the liberal tears. Delicious tears, how intolerant of a man who shits himself on stage can you be? Libtard hypocrite.

Yeah, I know some deplorable somewhere will say Biden is a racist for appearing on Stage with the President. Look Libs Biden’s up there too.
 
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HomerJS

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
36,730
28,907
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Biden needs to do the debates to maintain the precedent for future elections but my previous provisions for real time fact checking still apply. No matter how much time that eats up.
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,859
4,976
126
No.

But really because I feel "debates", at least how hey are currently structured and end up being executed, in today's day and age are pointless. I've said the same thing for the last 3 or 4 elections. They serve no purpose except to extract soundbites.
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
48,077
37,268
136
When you are demanding more debates it's clear that you're not winning. Also the Trump campaign seems to have woken up to the fact that they do not have until late October to turn things around. People in some states start voting in late September. There is probably August and that's it.

 

uclaLabrat

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2007
5,583
2,942
136
I admit no science behind this, I fear 2020 will prove me right
What I feel this rationale excuses is the fact that unless something drastically changes, trump is losing in november, and if he pulls out a win that defies the data, its highly likely he cheated. This whole "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" mentality is dangerous.
 

Stokely

Platinum Member
Jun 5, 2017
2,224
2,994
136
If the virus stops "debates" that will be a really nice silver lining. These modern clown shows are an absolute farce.

I conduct interviews at work, with the obvious goal of finding a good candidate for the position. Imagine if I did so as follows:

- have multiple candidates in the room
- only require them to talk on an issue for a couple minutes, and don't bother to try to get them to stay on subject when they start rambling into prepared speeches
- allow them to interrupt and insult each other

It would be an entertaining gladitorial contest but leave me with no idea of who is better for the job. It might help me determine who is an asshole that doesn't work well with others (the "winner").

The President should be a figurehead position whose main quality should be to be good at hiring good people for the various positions that need filling. If you must insist on some kind of televised show, then do this: a Meet the Press style interview where the candidate and an interviewer or two talk at length on subjects. No interruptions, no zingers, and no straying from the point or the interviewer stops them. Of course, this would be called "Booooorrrrrrring" by the no-attention-span moronic public, who really just wants Gladiator. And we get the candidates we get.
 

Gardener

Senior member
Nov 22, 1999
765
547
136
While Biden is no longer in his prime, he is more rational than Trump.

Debating Trump is shit_burning1.jpg
as foolish as debating the stew of burning feces and diesel fuel.
 
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trenchfoot

Lifer
Aug 5, 2000
14,939
7,456
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If Trump thinks he can win by repeating those unkept promises he made back in '16, he'll keep his base from bolting. OTOH, I'm hoping that there are enough of those folks out there who got burned by his hollow unfulfilled "campaign promises" and have wised up to the notion that giving him a chance "to prove himself" fell short the moment he took office and got progressively worse from thereon in.

I mean, yeah, getting taken up in the moment of passion where Trump proclaimed that "Mexico will pay for the wall" is somewhat excusable, but not after 3 1/2 years where Trump has proven to be an outright liar and fairy tale teller in this regard. So too his many other declarations that hooked into the "feels" of folks rather than their common sense only to be proven he lied and he lied so often as to make one wonder if he actually believed those fibs or not.
 

VRAMdemon

Diamond Member
Aug 16, 2012
7,017
8,545
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While Biden is no longer in his prime, he is more rational than Trump.

Debating Trump is View attachment 27448
as foolish as debating the stew of burning feces and diesel fuel.

This....just like everything else he touches, Trump has destroyed the idea of Presidential debates. He would simply do his regular shtick of playground taunts, lies, and name-calling. Why waste everyone’s time on that?

Plus Trumps only narrative left to win is the election is rigged and "so unfair to him". I'm sure he'll say the same about any debates, and not participate.

Although, an argument could be made that debating Biden is the one thing Trump does want to happen in this election. It’s his only chance.
 

trenchfoot

Lifer
Aug 5, 2000
14,939
7,456
136
While Biden is no longer in his prime, he is more rational than Trump.

Debating Trump is View attachment 27448
as foolish as debating the stew of burning feces and diesel fuel.


Damn, that *gag* brings *wince* back some *grinds teeth* really fond *starts breathing through mouth* and *starts pulling eyebrow hairs out* cherished *calls VA shrink for appointment* memories.
 

Grey_Beard

Golden Member
Sep 23, 2014
1,825
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It was readily apparent who Trump was in 2016 and yet he still managed to win. “Not Trump” is not enough.

I despised him from even his Apprentice days. Always thought he was a joke.

He had a great deal of help. Not just the bots, the hack, the use of misinformation, the foreign influence, but that Comey thing late was a killer. So many hated Clinton. Not sure he will ever have a person who he runs against that has a similar unfavorable rating. Things aligned for him and he only won by the 70,000 that moved the electorate needle. I agree we need more than “Not tRump.” As much as I doubt this will happen again, we cannot be lackadaisical.
 

Grey_Beard

Golden Member
Sep 23, 2014
1,825
2,007
136
While Biden is no longer in his prime, he is more rational than Trump.

Debating Trump is View attachment 27448
as foolish as debating the stew of burning feces and diesel fuel.

Biden is far and away better than the lying orange buffoon. As tRump tries his usual ranting and lying, even a stuttering Joe is way above him. The debates, in any format, will show that. Placating to the 30% base is not a tried and true recipe for winning a Presidential election.
 

Starbuck1975

Lifer
Jan 6, 2005
14,698
1,909
126
I despised him from even his Apprentice days. Always thought he was a joke.

He had a great deal of help. Not just the bots, the hack, the use of misinformation, the foreign influence, but that Comey thing late was a killer. So many hated Clinton. Not sure he will ever have a person who he runs against that has a similar unfavorable rating. Things aligned for him and he only won by the 70,000 that moved the electorate needle. I agree we need more than “Not tRump.” As much as I doubt this will happen again, we cannot be lackadaisical.
It’s ironic. I know numerous MBA types who worshipped him during the Apprentice days, religiously watched that show and aspired to be on it...they all despise him now. I’ve always known Trump as the failed real estate mogul who was occasionally entertaining on Howard Stern.
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,681
136
It’s ironic. I know numerous MBA types who worshipped him during the Apprentice days, religiously watched that show and aspired to be on it...they all despise him now. I’ve always known Trump as the failed real estate mogul who was occasionally entertaining on Howard Stern.

I'll always remember him as the short fingered vulgarian-

 

jameny5

Senior member
Aug 7, 2018
300
77
101
My answer is no. Biden has a wide lead, but also a penchant for verbal gaffes. So does Trump, but that aspect of Trump is baked in at this point. Biden has an advantage in being perceived as a more level headed, solid choice. If he gets into a debate and says one or more stupid things, his lead might shrink.

I think the perception that he's afraid to debate will be a lesser downside then the potential downside of debating. Not much upside either. According to polls, HRC won all three debates and got very little bounce in the polls.

He's in, say, the third quarter right now, is leading by 17 points, and he has the ball, 4th and 2 at the 50 yard line. No sense in going for it. Just punt the ball. If he was down by 17 points, then of course he should go for it. He needs to protect his lead by playing it safe.
You show pessimism. Biden will clean the floor with him like he did with that schoolboy - Paul "Lyin" Ryan! Remember, That pitcher of water Ryan drank after Biden ripped him a new one? I never seen anyone before him drink that much water. Watch the Vice Presidential debate between them on YouTube. You will not be disappointed. You are going to see an old man beating up on a school kid! Get ready....

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,681
136
I'm sure Joe can handle himself just fine. OTOH, He can reasonably eliminate the idea of a live audience. Playing off the audience is Trump's strong point, so I doubt he'll agree. The whole thing can be done remotely with split screens, something he'll never agree to. Debates may not happen at all.
 
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VRAMdemon

Diamond Member
Aug 16, 2012
7,017
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It’s ironic. I know numerous MBA types who worshipped him during the Apprentice days, religiously watched that show and aspired to be on it...they all despise him now. I’ve always known Trump as the failed real estate mogul who was occasionally entertaining on Howard Stern.

Yeah...Trump would be irrelevant if he were not the President. If Donald Trump were not President, would anybody give a shit what his views are on issues of politics, or anything for that matter. If Trump weren't President, most of the people who worship him now, would think he's a Democrat, Hollywood blowhard elitist who parades around as a Republican. Trump has been a Democrat longer than a Republican. He's given more money to Democrats in his lifetime (including Hillary) than Republicans. His kids were registered Democrats up until 2016. Just 5 years ago he described himself as ‘very pro choice’. I never really thought anything about him before he ran. Just some reality show showboating clown entertainer who liked to troll on Twitter. Basically irrelevant.
 
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kage69

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
28,744
40,187
136
I hear people likening Biden to an elderly golden lab retriever. Maybe not a Border Collie, but he's a good boi, wants to do his job and keep people safe. Sounds about right.

Trump, by comparison, would be some kind of morbidly obese orange macaque. Capable of only either gazing lovingly into a mirror, or throwing feces at people who doubt his brilliance.

As dank pointed out earlier, let's remember that it doesn't matter how badly a repug gets stomped in a debate (Dubya, McCain, and of course Trump gave us wonderful examples). The cult considers any showing by their fool a resounding victory no matter what. Trump could soil his Depends on air and start sucking his thumb, they won't care. We need to remember we're dealing with deranged people here; up is down, black is white, it's just the flu, Trump is not a traitor - the rectal cranial inversion is off the charts with these morons. I think denying them the victories in their own minds is the first step to doing the same at the ballot box.
 
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K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
48,077
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After watching the Axios interview of Trump I cannot fathom why the Trump campaign would actually be demanding more debates. It's all his worst qualities on showcase for the nation.

The debates this year won't have audiences so it will be closer to this format than anything.
 
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Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
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After watching the Axios interview of Trump I cannot fathom why the Trump campaign would actually be demanding more debates. It's all his worst qualities on showcase for the nation.

The debates this year won't have audiences so it will be closer to this format than anything.


Yeah, that interview was catastrophic for Trump. Trump--"You can't do that!" when talking about death count as a percentage of population vs. percentage of confirmed cases, which is how Trump wants to frame it.
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
48,077
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Yeah, that interview was catastrophic for Trump. Trump--"You can't do that!" when talking about death count as a percentage of population vs. percentage of confirmed cases, which is how Trump wants to frame it.

Whining, complaining, evading responsibility, blaming others, shuffling though papers that you don't understand but like because you think it validates your view. Not exactly tremendous optics for an incumbent who large majorities think has fucked things up really badly.