Friday, October 23, 2020

Final presidential debate - my two cents

I concur with conservative talker Erick Erickson in that Thursday's debate was President Trump's finest performance in such a venue. As it turned out, the candidates having their respective microphones muted while the other was giving his initial 2-minute answer to a question benefited both, but especially Trump. All too often in the first debate with Joe Biden last month, Trump would interrupt with the obligatory non sequitur instead of allowing Biden to rhetorically hang himself. 


A few observations from Thursday's tilt: 


- The first question concerned the handling of COVID-19, an issue which the Trump administration has been underwater in its approval ratings. However, Trump acquitted himself well here, specifically discussing the negative ramifications of prolonged lockdowns on the economy as well as citizens' mental health. While Trump expressed calm and optimism surrounding the virus, Biden went fear monger by looking directly into the camera and saying we're "learning to die with this virus." Biden also flat out lied when he said he never accused Trump of "xenophobia" when the President closed travel to China in late January. I suspect that was more of a face-saving exercise given Biden held a campaign rally in Michigan back in March while later claiming he had taken the virus seriously from day one. 


- On healthcare, neither candidate put forth a specific plan. Trump indicated that his admin will always protect those with pre-existing conditions without saying how. And Biden looked to build on what he believes is the "success" of Obamacare (where he falsely claimed no one lost their health insurance as a result of that law) by implementing a public option. While Trump maintained such a plan will cause many of the 180 million with private health insurance to lose their plans, Biden insisted that under "Bidencare" (yes, he really called it that) Americans can keep their health plans if they prefer. Yep. He went there. 


- While I thought moderator Kristen Welker overall did a fine job, her question about immigration falsely implied that it was the Trump administration which started the policy of separating kids from their parents as they attempted to cross the Mexico-U.S. border. As Biden went off on what he considered a morally reprehensible and disgusting policy, Trump prevailed in this exchange with one simple question: "Who built the cages, Joe?" 


Upon defending his strict border policies, Trump alluded to cartels and coyotes looking to wreak havoc in our country. Given the reaction on Twitter, vapid leftists apparently are unfamiliar with the latter term.







Can't fix stupid. 



- Perhaps Trump's most defining blow came near the end when the discussion turned to climate change/energy policy. While Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris, believes in banning fracking, Biden himself has been all over the place, including an all out ban. However, with polls tightening in Pennsylvania, Biden felt the need to adamantly deny he ever opposed fracking, leaving Trump incredulous. As such, Trump brought receipts mere moments after the debate. 





Oh, and do you remember when some Dems believed that Texas & Oklahoma were in play for Biden? Good times!





Even Democrat Congresswoman Kendra Horn (D-OK) publicly decried Biden's stance. 





Given approximately 30% of eligible voters have cast ballots already, I'm not certain how much this debate moves the needle. However, Trump's performance far exceeded the low expectations I typically have for him in such forums. Is it too much to ask that he maintain this serious and substantive demeanor over the next week-and-a-half? Dare to dream.


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