These presidential debates are not debates, and they are not presidential. They are more accurately described as slug fests. No one is served very well. In the end, everyone walks away with a bloody nose.
Was the public interest served? Were voters better informed? Did either candidate capture the intellectual or moral high ground? Were any of the undecided voters convinced?
If we drain away the insults, name-calling, divisive remarks and outright misrepresentations, what is left? Did you get clarity from Harris on policy? Did you better understand Trump’s vision for the future? Did anyone stand out as presidential?
If we boil off the impurities and ABC’s biases, was anything of value left? By this debate did viewers learn anything new? Did they better understand historic events relative to this election? One the eve of 9/11, was anything said on the war on terror helpful to citizens weary of war?
Harris was obviously coached to assault Trump, attempting to throw him off balance. She succeeded in a sense. She stuck to the Saul Alinsky playbook: make them obey their own rules, attack, ridicule, belittle. She tried to steal Trump’s populism and his patriotism. She failed. Even with only glimpses of the candidate these last two months, voters know a phony when they see one.
Trump started out in a dignified if low energy posture but that gave Harris an opening to start jabbing, making him back up defensively. Much of his argumentation eventually gained momentum but there were still whole sections that failed to sizzle. Though he fought back, he looked like he was trying to land a haymaker. Disappointed were those hoping to see him highlight his great achievements and articulate his plans for the future.
The evening was unsatisfactory. Both candidates fell flat though the nod should go to Trump, not that it will do him much good.
The bottom line: this country faces enormous dangers all around. We forward no useful cause by sponsoring dirty bouts featuring empty yammering, calling street fights presidential debates.
If there is another debate Trump must hold Harris accountable, debating like a statesman, behaving presidential. In this way he can retake the high ground reminding voters he is favored on the economy and foreign policy as his record shows.
