US First Presidental Debate - Boomerdome 2020

WELCOME TO THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES!!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/08/14/presidential-debates/

Time: Starts at 6:10-6:30pm to 7:40-8pm PST / 8:10-8:30pm to 9:40-10pm CST / 9:10-9:30pm-10:40-11pm EST

Where to watch:

Location: Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland

Moderator: Chris Wallace, anchor of “Fox News Sunday”


Competitors:

Former Vice President Joe Biden


President Donald Trump

Details: The debate will be 90 minutes long and have no commercial breaks. There will be no opening statements, and instead Wallace will dive right in with the first question to Trump. It will be divided into six 15-minute segments that Wallace has chosen. They are:
1) The Trump and Biden records;
2) The Supreme Court;
3) Covid-19;
4) the economy;
5) race and violence in cities;
6) the integrity of the election.

After the debates a poll will be posted on who you think won this first debate. Have lots of fun, keep the commentary fresh as I'm sure we've all heard many of the same lines for months and enjoy the beginning of the end of this presidential election cycle. Just as a reminder, on October 7th there will be a Vice Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.
You can view Joe Biden's megathread here, and Donald Trump's megathread here

Previous Democratic debates-
First Democratic debate (two nights)
Second Democratic debate
Third Democratic debate
Fourth Democratic debate
Fifth Democratic debate
Sixth Democratic debate
Seventh Democratic debate
Eighth Democratic debate
Ninth Democratic debate
Tenth Democratic debate
Eleventh Democratic Debate

Democratic primary results-
Super Tuesday
Mini-super Tuesday

Have fun!

 

[ChikN10der]

I doubt I'll watch the debates. I doubt either Trump or Biden is going to say anything that will shed new light on his qualities as a candidate. And, like many, I've already committed to voting for a candidate I dislike; unless Trump solves cold fusion or Biden commits rape onstage, it's not actually going to change my actions in November.

Why do you vote?

 

[Wendy Wheelchair]

How the fuck do they think Biden is going to be coherent for an hour and a half? Is it going to be one of those holograms like that 2Pac thing?

They don't. That's why they begged for breaks every 30 minutes and supposedly to have it seated.

A bit of pre-debate prediction sperging:

Biden is obviously going to use everything he can to his advantage, but Kayleigh McEnany is the secret weapon in showing how ridiculously prepared the Trump campaign organ is. I may have come around to GEOTUS late in the game, but he has the easier side of the debate for reasons I will lay out shortly.

Before the debate, we have the following attributes:

Biden: Part of the Obama-Clinton legacy. Experienced. Has the mind of a politician and the backing of the military-industrial machine. A manchurian alzheimer’s patient designed to transport Slay Kween into the presidency and then become post-presidency W after invoking the 25th. The economy was pretty good under his vice presidency, so good he gave tons of free money to Iran.

Trump: A political outsider and billionaire, Trump does not give a fuck about Washington bureaucracy. His first two years of presidency were spent exiling snakes from the snake pit he was thrown into. Since then, he has eliminated ISIS. He has pumped so much oil that the middle east is willing to throw in with Israel lest he turn pumping back on in Syria, where “we control the oil”. He has told China to get fucked. He has made a schizophrenic sort of detente with North Korea, Obama’s “biggest threat”. He has bolstered the economy before America’s dark hour, where the petty kings of blue states went full fash against the coronavirus with the help of roving gangs of petty marxist thugs. In response to this, he has disarmed Critical Race Theory - the “self destruct” mechanism for America.

Trump’s team knows about the earpiece. Expect a gentlemanly joke here - maybe “I want Joe to look me in the eyes and tell me...”. Although it would be amazing if he just calls it out.

- Trump has been A/B testing his talking points at the rallies. Debates are not for the red meat or soy crowds though- they are for undecided independents and wonks. That means that Biden needs to appeal to the corporatists without disenfranchising the progressives. Trump, on the other hand, just needs to be delicate around questions which alienate white suburban females - his most crucial swing demographic.

Talking Points:

Sexual harrassment allegations: I expect both men will steer clear of accusations. Both have counterattacks.
Health Care: This is the subject Biden wants. ”Dismantling the ACA” will be countered with “keeping existing conditions, and mine will be better, because I’ll lower drug prices”.
“Her body, her choice” is a 2018 talking point Biden will only pull out to get the Donald to attack.
COVID: Both sides will claim to have done the right thing here. Biden has a slight advantage because he wasn’t president during the time. But this is easy to turn into a “soft on China” trade deal discussion, which Trump will win, because Biden can’t talk China without injecting fantasy.
Economy: Let’s be frank- the Obama economy wasn’t bad, inflated as it was on Fed stimulus. Trump was on the way to a Fed drawdown when the Coronavirus struck, after which he used Blackrock to turn the Fed and Treasury into a weapon of mass monetization. This will boil down to Biden critiquing Trump’s response, and his manufactured comeback to “what would you have done better?” will be the national mask mandate and some pie in the sky bullshit. This discussion, and how it is framed to the public, is where the victory will be achieved.

I'd like to sperg on predictions about dodging/rigging tactics Dems will use (since some people are theorizing), from most drastic to least drastic, and how likely they are to go down, if at all:

1.) Biden cancels/postpones the debate: people say there's "no way" he could do that because it would "ruin him", but while unlikely, there are several ways they could get away with it, scot free, with help from the MSM
a.) Corona related: "someone on Biden's team" tests positive for COVID-19 and "for safety reasons", reschedules the debate. Trump is "science denier" if he objects, etc.
b.) Rioters: someone mentioned the rioters already making their presence known. Rioters have shut down several a conservative event, so it's not impossible for them to do it. Biden's team releases a statement saying "we understand the rioters' anger" and how they "met with local leaders" and they "decided to postpone the debate".
c.) Challenge legitimacy of debate: definitely the least likely, but Biden team could say Trump's insistence on the ear checks, etc shows the debates are "illegitimate" and they boycott the debates in "protest", much like the Dem senators are expected to do for the Amy Coney Barrett confirmation hearing.

2.) Debate forum allows Biden his requests: I could see this happening where they're fully aware Joe is using an earpiece and that he'd use his "bathroom breaks" to restrategize with his team.

3.) Joe already has questions: there's a claim he has them but Megyn Kelly says "there's zero chance". In all likelihood, based on last debates, he probably has them, but it will only prevent Biden from being an absolute disaster rather than having him "winning" over Trump. Trump clearly outdid Hillary when she was fully prepared.

4.) Moderator prevents Biden from giving any long form answers/asks leading questions: I know people with dementia. A lot of them still have their long-term memory and call retell you a story they've told you about their childhood that they've told you before. But the coherency veil instantly drops the moment they're expected to give long-form answers to open-ended questions. I've seen people with dementia get frustrated at their own inability to answer. which you can kind of see with some Biden gaffes. It's pretty depressing, to be honest, and if there are these long pause dementia moments, it'll make for pure, unwatchable cringe.

5.) Moderator is obviously hostile towards Trump and moderator speaks more than Biden: this is the most likely thing that will happen, which is sad. If I were Trump, if that does happen where the moderator is obviously speaking more than Biden, I would clearly point that out to the audience. If Trump can connect with the American people and show clear evidence of media/Dem malfeasance live during the debate, it will go a long, long way.

 

[Moguro Fukuzou]

People hyping up this debate like it's a much anticipated wrestling match when most likely it's just going to be largely boring with, at most, some funny little moments.

 

[gangweedfan]

My bet is on biden attacking trumps character as president. Im betting on the following buzzwords appearing: Public servent, Threat to Democracy, Public health crisis (Pronounced Cricees), Abuse of power and presidential

For Trump I predict a live twitter feed showing people calling him stupid. Specifically calling him stupid for nominating someone to the supreme court and using the buzzword peaceful transfer of power. This will be "fact checked" soon after by CNN. Also a new meme will spawn from something trump does or says.

 

[Wendy Wheelchair]

People hyping up this debate like it's a much anticipated wrestling match when most likely it's just going to be largely boring with, at most, some funny little moments.

Have you not been following the months of MSM pieces on "why Biden shouldn't debate Trump"? They've been trying to avoid this for forever. So it's finally happening. The thing to watch for is the obvious riggery. That'll be on full display.

 

[LordofTendons]

Anyone know of a good place to rewatch the debate for those dang dirty Europoors who won't be able to catch the debate live? Will C-Span have it up on Youtube? Keen to avoid spoilers so I can be horribly disappointed by a competent Biden and Wallace fighting Trump on the Dems' behalf.

t. Dang dirty Europoor who won't be able to catch the debate live.

It's almost always up in its entirety on youtube afterwards.

I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but dementia can cause aggression. We saw it with the construction workers who confronted Joe, he looked like he was going to punch one of them. Fingers crossed that Trump angers Joe and he tries to fight him, he might even get him to swear or say a gamer word.

I don't think Joe is in the hitting stage yet. Just the angry incoherent shouting stage. I'm hoping Jill still keeps his shotgun locked in a safe.

Anyone have the balls to watch this pre-show and TL;DR it? Or will the TL;DR obviously be just rehashed grievances she has about how "it was her turn"?
View attachment 1629709

Oh I wouldn't miss this for the world. I wonder if they'll have chains around her fat ankles to keep her from running on stage and knocking Joe out of the way to take her rightful place.

 

[Polyboros2]

People hyping up this debate like it's a much anticipated wrestling match when most likely it's just going to be largely boring with, at most, some funny little moments.

I agree with you that the most likely outcome will be it's boring.

What had everyone so excited is the sheer unprecedented opportunity for it to be a glorious shit show. One side has been regularly speaking in front of large audiences, as should be normal for a presidential candidate.

The other? How long has it been since he's had to speak coherently for this long at a time? We're the Bernie Biden debates 90 minutes? He has taken off about a third of the second to last month before the election, when most campaigns are really into high gear. Every time he's spoken in this last month he's stumbled like he has a disability, said something completely nonsensical, or absurdly fucked up a number in his point. And these have been the softest balled interviews they possibly could be while still letting the man talk.

If Biden can just get through this with a performance that doesn't have one of those characteristics, it'll be the best public speaking he's had in at least a month, possibly since his debate with Bernie.

 

[XYZpdq]

People hyping up this debate like it's a much anticipated wrestling match when most likely it's just going to be largely boring with, at most, some funny little moments.

Yeah but dammit if we have to live with this shitshow of a political process then we might as well have fun with it.

 

[Dark Edea]

I'm not too late to place my bet, am I?

They do the first debate and the next day Joe Biden announces that he will not be participating in the first debate.

Put a thousand on it.

 

[King Daddy Telomerase]

There's near zero chance Biden has the questions. I'm as anti-media and conspiratorial as it gets, but it would be career suicide for everyone slightly involved if they got caught doing that. For what benefit? The topics are already known in full which is too much.

 

[The Last Stand]

Anyone have the balls to watch this pre-show and TL;DR it? Or will the TL;DR obviously be just rehashed grievances she has about how "it was her turn"?
View attachment 1629709

Alright! The queen will be present.

 

[Puff]

There's near zero chance Biden has the questions. I'm as anti-media and conspiratorial as it gets, but it would be career suicide for everyone slightly involved if they got caught doing that. For what benefit? The topics are already known in full which is too much.

Hillary had the questions to at least one. And got caught.

 

[Dark Edea]

Also if Biden simply does not fuck up, he wins thanks to everyone hyping the premise that he will fuck up.

 

[Wendy Wheelchair]

Adding to the deflection pile, a "TRUMP IS LITERALLY HITLER". I wonder what Hitler's stance on earpieces was?

 

[Polyboros2]

Hillary had the questions to at least one. And got caught.

And no one got ruined by it. They just won't talk about it openly on personal email accounts like the boomers they are.

 

[XYZpdq]

Hillary had the questions to at least one. And got caught.

iirc didn't the gal who did it get hired by Fox News?

 

[Moguro Fukuzou]

Have you not been following the months of MSM pieces on "why Biden shouldn't debate Trump"? They've been trying to avoid this for forever. So it's finally happening. The thing to watch for is the obvious riggery. That'll be on full display.

I agree with you that the most likely outcome will be it's boring.

What had everyone so excited is the sheer unprecedented opportunity for it to be a glorious shit show. One side has been regularly speaking in front of large audiences, as should be normal for a presidential candidate.

The other? How long has it been since he's had to speak coherently for this long at a time? We're the Bernie Biden debates 90 minutes? He has taken off about a third of the second to last month before the election, when most campaigns are really into high gear. Every time he's spoken in this last month he's stumbled like he has a disability, said something completely nonsensical, or absurdly fucked up a number in his point. And these have been the softest balled interviews they possibly could be while still letting the man talk.

If Biden can just get through this with a performance that doesn't have one of those characteristics, it'll be the best public speaking he's had in at least a month, possibly since his debate with Bernie.

The only expectation I have is it'll make some new meme fodder like to 2016 debate did. It doesn't really matter to the media how poorly Biden performs because they'll still pass it off as his win to their watchers who can't be bothered to watch the whole thing. Same thing with most Biden voters.

Yeah but dammit if we have to live with this shitshow of a political process then we might as well have fun with it.

I can agree with that. What I'm most looking forward to is just watching the shitshow with the farms because it'll make it more bearable at least.

 

[tehpope]

There's near zero chance Biden has the questions. I'm as anti-media and conspiratorial as it gets, but it would be career suicide for everyone slightly involved if they got caught doing that. For what benefit? The topics are already known in full which is too much.

the last town hall biden had with CNN showed they picked dnc faithful and not random folk to ask questions. Anytime someone asks a question to Biden at a townhall l, its usually on a paper.

It's not that far out to assume they'll give Biden the questions a head of time. They probably won't get caught though.

 

[Polyboros2]

The only expectation I have is it'll make some new meme fodder like to 2016 debate did.

While it was meme fodder, I think the "If I were in charge, you'd be in jail comment" had a not insignificant influence in Trump's victory. Hillary was such an unliked candidate, I think it made a lot of people take their fingers off their nose and not just pull the Blue lever like they were told.

I expect Trump to try and have something chambered with the same effect. (And I won't be surprised if Biden just regurgitates the line back at Trump as an attempt at a gotcha, as the Democrats won't understand why that line resonated so we'll against Clinton)

 

[Buck Mullet]

My predictions that no one asked for:

Biden comes out swinging, and is surprisingly coherent.

Trump doesn't take the bait and keeps his cool, lighthearted even.

As it goes on Trump takes small shots throughout, and Biden's only counter is variations of "C'mon man..."

Trump will strike like a cobra when Biden has an inevitable gaffe, visibly throwing Biden off track.

Will try to regain footing, but Trump's improv skill will be too much, and Sleepy Joe will finish the debate bumbling empty rhetoric, while Trump ends with a tangible point that actually makes sense.

I'll be shitfaced and high as a kite.