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Here is the Biden Campaign letter to the Presidential Debate Commission on why it will not do their debates (Original Post) LetMyPeopleVote May 2024 OP
Insist on moderator having KILL switches for both microphones BoRaGard May 2024 #1
I'd also recommend a spit guard in case trump has covid (or something else) again. erronis May 2024 #17
The ventilation.... SergeStorms May 2024 #55
His ass Traildogbob May 2024 #76
Maybe put an amplified microphone down trDUMP's butt crack,... magicarpet May 2024 #77
🤮🤮🤮 Traildogbob May 2024 #79
Amen to that............NC DENVERPOPS May 2024 #61
Outstanding smackdown of the bogus commission debates Mysterian May 2024 #2
That "tradition" isn't even 50 years old. Wednesdays May 2024 #3
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were not presidential. Ruby Soho May 2024 #7
Ah! So I stand corrected. Wednesdays May 2024 #16
Very odd Polybius May 2024 #20
Nate can go piss up a rope. Ford_Prefect May 2024 #24
I am a former college debater and I am glad that they are changing the rules LetMyPeopleVote May 2024 #4
It was not helpful that Chris Wallace, the inventor of both-sider-ism, hosted that fiasco. jaxexpat May 2024 #25
Classic! Epic Smackdown.. didn't the "media" Cha May 2024 #33
Go Joe!!! 🌊 !!! Think. Again. May 2024 #5
Trump will try to use this.... Bayard May 2024 #6
And of course, this is BS. tRUMP is a coward, and full of it too, would lose in a heartbeat w/ fact checks on SWBTATTReg May 2024 #9
Biden has already agreed to two debates: one in June and the other in September. Ruby Soho May 2024 #11
Sad - but true peppertree May 2024 #12
Who is ducking debates? Wednesdays May 2024 #18
Mistake why? Do you think Biden is afraid MotownPgh May 2024 #28
Well stated! ShazzieB May 2024 #37
I Don't Care. Cha May 2024 #34
Same here; I think debates are mostly pretense and theater. Good for a few laughs, and little else. peppertree May 2024 #40
I don't care JustAnotherGen May 2024 #67
President Biden is a very intelligent man and I am loving this letter. You tell 'em Joe! n/t SheilaAnn May 2024 #8
Will the Con show up if there's not a live audience? -nt CrispyQ May 2024 #10
Very solid strategy. For years we have had stupid msm questions that focus on generating shareholder PatrickforB May 2024 #13
And don't let Trump not play any games... ificandream May 2024 #14
Right? ShazzieB May 2024 #42
Cold, Sir, But More Than Fair The Magistrate May 2024 #15
You are such a gentleman, Sir. I was going to say fan-freaking-tastic. What I want back is League of Women Voters... Hekate May 2024 #30
Harsh but fair. Mr. Sparkle May 2024 #19
🍿🍿🍿! rubbersole May 2024 #21
Strongly agree! No audience. Liberal In Texas May 2024 #22
Or a filibuster so the other candidate can't get his point across. Squaredeal May 2024 #29
Because Trump regards every event as a rally agingdem May 2024 #45
I suspect you're right. Probably a deal breaker for Trump. Liberal In Texas May 2024 #49
Don't forget what tfg did in 2016 sheshe2 May 2024 #23
Excellent Points.. TY, she! Cha May 2024 #38
I remember watching that debate. sheshe2 May 2024 #50
Yeah, that's TSF's Dirty Perverted MO. Cha May 2024 #53
A LOOMING presence?! Leith May 2024 #48
Yes, I remember him humping the chair. sheshe2 May 2024 #51
TFG was trying to physically intimidate Sec. Clinton LetMyPeopleVote May 2024 #70
He was. sheshe2 May 2024 #75
I love this JustAnotherGen May 2024 #26
Yeah so screw the "Debate Commission".. they're Cha May 2024 #36
Hey, Cha. Just want to make sure this is your message. erronis May 2024 #56
This is my message.. I agree with Pres Joe Biden and his Team!.. Cha May 2024 #60
Biden's reasons are clear and logical. Martin68 May 2024 #27
Orange Turd won't agree to any format he can't corrupt and control. GoodRaisin May 2024 #31
Agreed.............. DENVERPOPS May 2024 #63
Thank you Mr. President. Live audiences distract and detract from debates!! Raven123 May 2024 #32
Insist on no audience and a microphone kill switch for every debate. Hermit-The-Prog May 2024 #35
And a dunk tank for repeat offenses. Marcuse May 2024 #74
Is this the whole letter? ShazzieB May 2024 #39
Here is the rest of the letter LetMyPeopleVote May 2024 #47
Thanks! ShazzieB May 2024 #62
There has to be more control and cutting the mics off is a good way LetMyPeopleVote May 2024 #71
Nate Silver who has really become a tool senseandsensibility May 2024 #41
NO audience. I've always HATED that oldsoftie May 2024 #43
Good call by Biden. No circus atmosphere. wnylib May 2024 #44
Dark Brandon told him to shut up in front of the world before taking his job. LetMyPeopleVote May 2024 #46
TY again... I love all this coming up Again! Cha May 2024 #59
I know it can't and won't happen thucythucy May 2024 #52
Good blogslug May 2024 #54
I am not the only one who likes this shirt LetMyPeopleVote May 2024 #57
TY.. So Agree with Team Biden!! Cha May 2024 #58
Though I got to admit the twelve year old in me would love to hear Joe say in the middle of a ... marble falls May 2024 #64
Great letter pulled no punches. Fla Dem May 2024 #65
I keep wondering if TFG will show up for a debate LetMyPeopleVote May 2024 #66
lol at 'slock rocket' Celerity May 2024 #78
Trump can debate from his cell bucolic_frolic May 2024 #68
I am looking forward to that debate LetMyPeopleVote May 2024 #69
Thread winner!! DING DING DING! /nt bucolic_frolic May 2024 #72
I like it. republianmushroom May 2024 #73
Debates are a friggin' joke -misanthroptimist May 2024 #80
The location of the next Presidential debate LetMyPeopleVote May 2024 #81

BoRaGard

(2,964 posts)
1. Insist on moderator having KILL switches for both microphones
Wed May 15, 2024, 10:52 AM
May 2024

Or Smelvis will stink the joint out, as usual, with ceaseless bloviation.

erronis

(16,960 posts)
17. I'd also recommend a spit guard in case trump has covid (or something else) again.
Wed May 15, 2024, 11:49 AM
May 2024

We know he deliberately tried to infect Biden in 2020.

Guess good ventilation also. A special sucking one around the tfg.

SergeStorms

(19,312 posts)
55. The ventilation....
Wed May 15, 2024, 03:39 PM
May 2024

will also prevent the Orange Pig's flatulence and soiled pant's-load from gagging president Biden.

Traildogbob

(10,051 posts)
76. His ass
Thu May 16, 2024, 12:25 PM
May 2024

Will be packed tight with Moses Mike and all the Jeebus GQP so no gas can escape. The problem is, he has an anus below his nose, wide open all the time and at face level to everyone. Dangerous to everyone in a room near him. Masks may be needed for the production staff.

magicarpet

(16,685 posts)
77. Maybe put an amplified microphone down trDUMP's butt crack,...
Thu May 16, 2024, 12:44 PM
May 2024

.. to prove to the world that if anyone is having a senior moment it is the Orange Turd who shit himself and farted up a storm during the entire presidential debate.

trDUMP is the old codger who has lost all self control,... not Biden.

Traildogbob

(10,051 posts)
79. 🤮🤮🤮
Thu May 16, 2024, 01:37 PM
May 2024

“Down trump’s butt crack” four words that should be banned from the world. But there is a long list of GQP that know it well, and love the smell and fight for position while waiting their turn to enter.

Wednesdays

(20,315 posts)
3. That "tradition" isn't even 50 years old.
Wed May 15, 2024, 10:58 AM
May 2024

The famous Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1860 were the only ones between presidential candidates until Kennedy-Nixon of 1960. And then no more debates until Carter-Ford in 1976. It's been a regular occurrence only since then.

 

Ruby Soho

(53 posts)
7. The Lincoln-Douglas debates were not presidential.
Wed May 15, 2024, 11:10 AM
May 2024

They were for the Illinois senate election of 1858 and to the Illinois Assembly (with spectators too) since, prior to the 17th Amendment, voters actually did not choose senate candidates.

Lincoln never debated as a presidential candidate.

1960 was the first real presidential debates between major party candidate. There had been primary debates before but never a presidential one.

LetMyPeopleVote

(155,008 posts)
4. I am a former college debater and I am glad that they are changing the rules
Wed May 15, 2024, 11:03 AM
May 2024

The prior debates under the Presidential Debate Commission were not really debates. Despite the rules, the large crowds would play a part in the debates and the rules were never enforced. A good example of the failure of the old rules is this from the 2020 debate


 

jaxexpat

(7,794 posts)
25. It was not helpful that Chris Wallace, the inventor of both-sider-ism, hosted that fiasco.
Wed May 15, 2024, 12:13 PM
May 2024

But he's not the only one and, besides, they're not debating by even the loosest definition. They've never been debates, just Q & A "lie trading" sessions. The set up has devolved so that, most of the time, the candidates are expected to speak the speech they've practiced, whatever the questions may have been. If a clown like Trump is participating, you know it's baloney.

SWBTATTReg

(24,239 posts)
9. And of course, this is BS. tRUMP is a coward, and full of it too, would lose in a heartbeat w/ fact checks on
Wed May 15, 2024, 11:22 AM
May 2024

anything and everything he says.

peppertree

(22,850 posts)
12. Sad - but true
Wed May 15, 2024, 11:27 AM
May 2024

I think it's a mistake to do anything that could be seen as ducking debates - no matter how good his case is.

This plays right into Needy Amin's fat, grubby little hands.

MotownPgh

(363 posts)
28. Mistake why? Do you think Biden is afraid
Wed May 15, 2024, 12:30 PM
May 2024

of Trump and how things will appear to whom? There is no bigger disgrace/coward than Trump and guess what Trump doesn't care how he appears to me. Dems should no longer kow tow to any traditional rules. We have learned we have to make our own demands now. They tried to infect Biden with covid! Anyone that thinks Biden looks bad over this can take a seat.

peppertree

(22,850 posts)
40. Same here; I think debates are mostly pretense and theater. Good for a few laughs, and little else.
Wed May 15, 2024, 01:20 PM
May 2024

But our dear swing voters might not see it that way.

And as you know, elections are won or lost with the swing voters.

JustAnotherGen

(33,718 posts)
67. I don't care
Wed May 15, 2024, 08:22 PM
May 2024

What a pig from hell that told ~30K lies while in office uses or doesn't.

I.just don't. I'm sick and tired of the five deferment coward.

PatrickforB

(15,120 posts)
13. Very solid strategy. For years we have had stupid msm questions that focus on generating shareholder
Wed May 15, 2024, 11:31 AM
May 2024

PROFITS for their respective publicly traded media companies. Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.

What is needed is real debate around real kitchen table issues. Childcare, healthcare, social security, the climate, inflation and Wall Street greed that is driving it, and foreign policy - Ukraine, Gaza, and humanitarian concerns.

Biden's got the moves, and the Democratic party spokesperson who is on camera is really effective.

ificandream

(10,576 posts)
14. And don't let Trump not play any games...
Wed May 15, 2024, 11:36 AM
May 2024

… Like letting him bring in all those Bill Clinton accusers like he did during the Hillary Clinton debate.

ShazzieB

(18,810 posts)
42. Right?
Wed May 15, 2024, 01:30 PM
May 2024

That was an absolute travesty. Everything TSF did in the so-called "debates" that year was a travesty and a mockery of the system. 2020 was only a tad bit better what with him constantly talking yelling over Joe and trying to give him covid.

The Orange Hellbeast has to idea how to have a civilized conversation, much less anything resembling a debate, and he doesn't want to learn. The way he was allowed to flagrantly ignore all the rules of the debates, not to mention the rules of civilized behavior, both times was a disgrace.

Hekate

(94,969 posts)
30. You are such a gentleman, Sir. I was going to say fan-freaking-tastic. What I want back is League of Women Voters...
Wed May 15, 2024, 12:33 PM
May 2024

They were fair, impartial, and well-researched — and they brooked no nonsense.

Joe Biden is my hero.

Squaredeal

(540 posts)
29. Or a filibuster so the other candidate can't get his point across.
Wed May 15, 2024, 12:31 PM
May 2024

Without the ability to mute the mike while the other person has the floor would just be a waste of the viewer’s time. There’s no need of having any audience either to disrupt the debate. I hope that Joe holds his grounds on this.

agingdem

(8,541 posts)
45. Because Trump regards every event as a rally
Wed May 15, 2024, 01:40 PM
May 2024

Last edited Wed May 15, 2024, 02:25 PM - Edit history (2)

I suspect without Trump's brain-dead scum booing/chanting/cheering his toxic vomit, he'll back out...Trump craves crowd validation...no audience..no validation...

Liberal In Texas

(14,557 posts)
49. I suspect you're right. Probably a deal breaker for Trump.
Wed May 15, 2024, 02:39 PM
May 2024

But Biden needs to stick by his guns and insist on no audience.

sheshe2

(87,804 posts)
23. Don't forget what tfg did in 2016
Wed May 15, 2024, 11:58 AM
May 2024
2016 Presidential Debate: Trump Accused of 'Stalking' Clinton on Stage

Donald Trump was accused of “menacingly stalking” Hillary Clinton at Sunday night’s debate, with even a supporter likening the tycoon to a gorilla.


The Republican nominee took full advantage of the town hall debate format by moving around in front of the cameras rather than sitting on his chair.

However, his tactic drew widespread criticism in post-debate commentary and on social media.

“Take a seat, loser!” was the front page headline in the New York Daily News, next to a picture of Trump clutching the back of his seat.

Camera angles gave Trump a looming presence as he moved around in the background behind Clinton.

"If a man did that to me on the street ... I'd call 911,” political commentator and former Republican strategist Nicolle Wallace said.


https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-presidential-debates/presidential-debate-trump-accused-stalking-clinton-stage-n663516

sheshe2

(87,804 posts)
50. I remember watching that debate.
Wed May 15, 2024, 03:20 PM
May 2024

I was furious as I watched him stalk her around the stage.

“ I moved on her like a bitch”
“ I don't even wait. And when you're a star they let you do it. You can do anything."”

Cha

(305,638 posts)
53. Yeah, that's TSF's Dirty Perverted MO.
Wed May 15, 2024, 03:32 PM
May 2024

It got in once thanks to the Gaslit Hillary Hate.. It Cannot happen Again.

Leith

(7,855 posts)
48. A LOOMING presence?!
Wed May 15, 2024, 02:13 PM
May 2024

I've never seen anyone state it quite as plainly as I do: He was humping the chair behind HRC. It was a blatant show of rancid testosterone and disrespect.

Since Mrs. Clinton has much more decorum and is more civilized than I am, but I would have stopped and shouted "just what are you doing to that chair?!"

tsf acts like a rutting orangutan. It's time to treat him like one.

JustAnotherGen

(33,718 posts)
26. I love this
Wed May 15, 2024, 12:14 PM
May 2024

He's right, the campaign is right . . . The Commission did NOT enforce their own rules. Those weren't meaningful debates - it was a spectacle of stupidity - and that other guy not respecting his opponent.

Cha

(305,638 posts)
36. Yeah so screw the "Debate Commission".. they're
Wed May 15, 2024, 12:59 PM
May 2024

Last edited Wed May 15, 2024, 03:57 PM - Edit history (1)

being held accountable now by President Joe Biden.

erronis

(16,960 posts)
56. Hey, Cha. Just want to make sure this is your message.
Wed May 15, 2024, 03:50 PM
May 2024

Sometimes asides get taken wrongly, but sorta understanding your positions on some things, I think you're right.

Of course any of these "traditional" formats (including League of Women Voters) have certain built-in "procedures" and it is very hard to change them. In this case (and going forward), I think the debate formats need to be re-evaluated based on the situations. Nobody like a trump has ever shown up before but now we are entertained by somebody who has a fetish on hot-dogs(!) and Hannibal Lecture.

GoodRaisin

(9,602 posts)
31. Orange Turd won't agree to any format he can't corrupt and control.
Wed May 15, 2024, 12:42 PM
May 2024

Last edited Wed May 15, 2024, 01:42 PM - Edit history (1)

This is smart of Biden but probably means no debates will take place. Orange Turd will back out when he doesn’t get his way with the rules.

Biden should insist on microphones shut off when the other is responding to a question; also, microphone shut off when time expires.

DENVERPOPS

(10,029 posts)
63. Agreed..............
Wed May 15, 2024, 04:29 PM
May 2024

The reality is, in today's political world, Trump, and the entire Republican Party can't play unless they cheat in tons of different ways.

Take for example the classic "October Surprise"..........they do it every single election since Reagan in 1980......
With Hillary, it was the phony Comer?? emails bullshit...........

ShazzieB

(18,810 posts)
39. Is this the whole letter?
Wed May 15, 2024, 01:11 PM
May 2024

Last edited Wed May 15, 2024, 04:17 PM - Edit history (1)

This just looks like the first page. It ends very abruptly. There's no conclusion and no signature. Where's the rest of it?

ShazzieB

(18,810 posts)
62. Thanks!
Wed May 15, 2024, 04:26 PM
May 2024

Now that I've read it all, I can say that I agree with every word 100%.

Especially the part about turning the mic off when it's the other person's turn to speak. (The fact that TSF will hate that gives me great joy, in addition to the fact that it's just plain sensible. )

senseandsensibility

(20,363 posts)
41. Nate Silver who has really become a tool
Wed May 15, 2024, 01:27 PM
May 2024

posted this on twitter trying to accuse Biden of breaking norms. He's being dragged, deservedly so.

wnylib

(24,533 posts)
44. Good call by Biden. No circus atmosphere.
Wed May 15, 2024, 01:34 PM
May 2024

But, I'd also be concerned about which television studio should be the location for the debates? And who would the moderator be? Where would the questions come from? There should be no loaded, biased questions designed to score points for either party. No biased studio or moderator intent on highlighting talking points for either side.

I don't trust corporate TV studios to be unbiased on some economic issues and questions. No editorial comments from the moderator on the questions and responses.

So far, so good regarding the letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates. But there are still rules to be established and agreed on, like a mic shut off and when to use it. Occasionally a response goes over the time by 15 to 30 seconds while finishing a sentence. I'd let that pass. But rambling on and on after time is up - no. And no talking over the moderator or opponent when they are speaking.






thucythucy

(8,742 posts)
52. I know it can't and won't happen
Wed May 15, 2024, 03:32 PM
May 2024

but I would love for the "debate" to be scheduled early in the day, when Trump is bound to be exhausted from another sleepless night of shit posting.

The man doesn't seem to be conscioius much before noon, if then.

But of course the debates will be in the evening.

Ah well.

marble falls

(62,379 posts)
64. Though I got to admit the twelve year old in me would love to hear Joe say in the middle of a ...
Wed May 15, 2024, 04:40 PM
May 2024

... TFG rambling, "Gee whiz, man, who farted?"

-misanthroptimist

(1,201 posts)
80. Debates are a friggin' joke
Thu May 16, 2024, 01:41 PM
May 2024

Ever since Reagan's "There you go again", the media waits breathlessly for some verbal (and usually trivial) KO. When there isn't one, and there usually isn't, they sit and score it for other trivial reasons that have nothing to do with either the office or the country. It's just another sporting event. It should be hosted on ESPN. Or maybe not. I don't think ESPN covers pseudo-sports like wrestling, so why cover pseudo-debates?

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