So about the upcoming Hillary/Trump debate(s)

[Cyrano]

Last edited Sun Aug 28, 2016, 12:11 PM - Edit history (1)

Trump is not preparing for the upcoming debate(s). He doesn't have to. This is a man who just lets whatever pops into his mind, pour out of his mouth.

Hillary is of course, preparing. But for what? All the facts she needs are in her head. She can find virtually anyplace you can name on a map, and she knows our foreign policy toward every country in the world.

Give Trump a world map and he could probably point out only the places that have buildings or golf courses with his name on them. And we already know that his foreign policy knowledge is virtually nil.

So what will the first debate look like? It depends on the moderator(s). Will they stop Trump if he takes a question and twists it into an attack? Will they let him spew lies and bullshit? Will they be able to control him in any way?

IMO, the upcoming debates will change no minds about voting for Hillary or Trump (or other). Trump's ignorance and Hillary's knowledge will be on full display and none of it will matter.

I guess the biggest question is whether Trump will show up.

[Siwsan]

1. Hopefully Hillary is currently practicing her poker face.

If he does show up, I hope the moderators have iron wills to demand he stay on topic

I anticipate he will go off on some sort of nonsensical blithering riff that will have zilch to do with the question asked. I wonder how much authority the moderators have to reel him back in, or cut him off for being non-responsive.

[Jim Beard]

2. When are they going to have the debates?

Its getting closer to election day with many places starting early voting very soon.

[Cyrano]

3. The first one is set for Sept. 26

at Hofstra Univerwsity in NY. You can google the schedule.

Actually Sept.26 seems kinda late since, as you pointe out, early voting starts very soon. Nonetheless, as I said in the OP, I doubt if the debates will change anyone's mind.

[Shrike47]

4. I suspect many of us will watch in the hope Trump implodes.

[nolabear]

5. Do we know who's moderating the debates? That's going to make a lot of difference.

If I had my wish there would be a mix of moderators from left and right and center, not one or the other. I'd love to see genuinely tough refereeing and adherence to a tightly framed protocol. Of course I'd also like to see the audience evenly divided between supporters of the two. I can't decide if I'd rather they were quiet or raucous. Raucous tends to push Donald over the edge, which could go both ways.

[Cyrano]

6. This is THE big issue

Last edited Sun Aug 28, 2016, 01:50 PM - Edit history (1)

Trump would obviously like Sean Hannity and/or Bill O'Reilly. That ain't gonna happen.

I don't think Hillary has any preferences beyond someone who is fair, evenhanded, non-partison and strong enough to make them stick to the topic. Good luck on finding someone like that whom Trump would agree to.

It's possible that the choice of moderator(s) might give Trump an excuse to skip the debates. It could give him an excuse to say the debates are "rigged."

Who knows what he'll do? In case anyone doesn't know by now, "rules" don't apply to him.

[jberryhill]

8. There are no rules requiring debates

You are correct. Trump will deem them "rigged" and they will not happen.

[kskiska]

12. No audience at all would be preferable

Trump will definitely play to audience response. Without one he'd be dead in the water.

[jberryhill]

7. There will be no debates

The run up to the debates will be characterized by finger pointing and silly demands, which will become a farce. There will be no debates.

[Cyrano]

9. Hard to disagree with you

Trump must know that participating in a debate will demonstrate to everyone what an ignorant fool he is. Not that it would prevent his voters from standing by him.

However, I believe that if he decides to skip the debates, the media will be all over him like flies on dung.

[piechartking]

10. If the polls hold with a sizeable Clinton lead

He'll be there. It will be the last few chances to make a "big" impression.

Moreover, he doesn't process this campaign like you and me, as dispassionate observers. I think in his deluded mind, he feels like he's RIGHT there, and can win this thing.

[Amishman]

13. Trump will insist on debates, he needs them

He is sunk with how the race is going today. He needs an opportunity to try and create something out of nothing. The debates give him that opening. He needs a chance at a 'hail Mary', and without the debates he will never get the ball.

If Hillary refuses, Trump gets a card to play and will claim she is to scared or unhealthy to do the debate.

We have nothing to win and everything to lose with the debates, since barring a metaphorical earthquake we've already won. From here on out it needs to be careful damage control and nothing more.

[Brother Buzz]

11. If there is a debate, all Clinton has to do is borrow Biden's line and say....

"Let me translate", then frame the discussion in her own fashion, all the while pressing Trump's buttons. And when the moment comes (and there will be that moment), I suggest she use a stronger word than, "Malarkey!".