Debates

 

There has been a transformation in recent decades as to what the term "debate" means.  It used to be (as I know from my days on my school debate team) a contest as to whom could bring the best argument for or against a particular policy position. Did you hear anything of that sort last week? What you actually witnessed was a beauty pageant. The winner was the one who appeared more attractive in looks and manner and best filled the role the viewers desired.

 [As an historical note, those who heard the Nixon/Kennedy debate of 1960 on the radio thought Nixon won.  Not so for those viewing on TV.  JFK dressed well and both looked and sounded good. He looked like a winner. Richard Nixon with his glowering manner and heavy beard did not.]   

So, when one hears CNN broadcasters claim that Harris "crushed" Donald Trump, it's laughable. Yes, she won the beauty (appearance) contest but that's all. No one, outside of the VP's cadre and fawning media members, commended her intellectual acuity or verbal performance.

 TRUMP-- hope springs eternal among traditional Republicans!  There is still the expectation that the former executive will act more presidential. During his joint appearance with the VP, he was able to do so for 15 minutes.  But, his presentation faltered when the nature of his campaign rallies was assailed. In his usual manner, he took personal umbrage and never recovered.  When will people ever learn? Trump is essentially without self-discipline. He cannot control himself even when his conduct is self-destructive. He will not change. To continue to hope is simply foolish.

 QUESTION:  When Trump accused Kamala Harris of being a Marxist, was he calling her a follower of Groucho or Karl?

 MEDIA-- the questions crafted by ABC generally were even-handed. So initially it is fair to say the liberal network was trying to be straight this time for the audience. But the moderators soon undercut that effort, if it had in fact been genuine. There was no follow-up to the VPs consistent failure to answer questions about her past policy positions even when she misrepresented them. Trump did not receive the same toleration.

 The media, too, has a self-discipline problem when it comes to concealing leftist bias