Oh my God, what the fuck was that?
Jesus, that wasn't a debate, it was a mud wrestling match. For ninety-three minutes America witnessed a toddler throwing a temper tantrum on stage and an uncle and a baby sitter who were powerless to do anything about it.
David Frum wrote in The Atlantic that Trump's "theory of the debate was all wrong." That presupposes Trump even had a theory. Most bullies don't. They're incapable of forming one. But there is almost always a method to their madness.
It was clear from the outset Trump had to intention of debating Joe Biden. How could he? An honest debate with the Democratic nominee would've confirmed for the few remaining undecided voters out there that the current occupant of the Oval Office is not remotely up to the task of being president.
Make no mistake about it. Trump knows he's behind, far more behind than he was four years ago against Hillary Clinton, and he knows he's underwater with women voters and trailing in the all-important suburbs. Twice during the "debate" he invoked images of their destruction under a Biden administration. His fear mongering isn't working; if anything, it's hurting him, even among some of his supporters who don't like the tone.
Which made me wonder why would he go ape shit like that? And then it hit me. Trump isn't trying to win, because he knows he can't. What he's doing is setting the stage for his coup attempt.
There were two moments that stood out Tuesday night that should frighten the shit out of everyone in the country. The first was when moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump if he would publicly condemn white supremacists. Not only didn't he do so, he told the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist hate group, to "stand back and stand by." That line is now a hashtag on social media. The second occurred near the end when Wallace asked him if he would refrain from declaring victory until all the results were in. Again not only wouldn't he do so, he actually said he wanted his supporters to show up at the polls on election night. The inference could not have been more plain.
What the nation saw last night was not an American president making the case for another four years; it was an autocrat informing his minions what he expects of them. And I'm very much afraid that they will follow through on his appeals. The man is looking for blood shed and he may well get his wish on November 3.
And just in case they don't have quite the stomach - or the sheer numbers - to carry out their marching orders, Trump has amassed another army: this one consisting of 1,000 lawyers spread out over 17 states to contest and overthrow the election results. Not all muscleman have tattooed swastikas on their arms; some come dressed in two-piece suits brandishing nothing more than a fountain pen and a ruthlessness matched only by their boss. But then Trump has always had an affinity for people who know how to get him out of trouble. How else do you think he survived six bankruptcies?
Based on what transpired, and knowing what his true intent was, I see no reason to give this president another crack at inciting his goon squads. I know it's unprecedented for a candidate to bow out of debates, but that was no debate; it was a farce. Seriously, why on earth would Biden agree to continue to give this sociopath a forum on national TV? What benefit could he possibly get out of it?
The Commission on Presidential Debates is "mulling" changes to the format for the remaining debates. Unless those changes involve using a muzzle and shock collar, I sincerely doubt they will be effective. Even if they managed to insert a kill switch on Trump's mic, does anyone for a minute believe that that would stop him? He's got the Secret Service on his side. He can just grab Biden's mic and talk over him.
Fortunately, the VP debate is likely to be more civilized and, hopefully, Kamala Harris can do what Biden was prevented from doing: present a vision for a Biden / Harris administration. Pence doesn't have it in him to go gutter the way Trump does, so I anticipate the viewers might actually get the chance to hear two adults have a real back and forth on the issues.
But after that, it's adios. If Biden wants to, he can hold a couple of town hall events in prime time that will allow him to articulate, uninterrupted, how he would govern as president and how he would begin to heal this deeply divided nation.
I know it's risky and potentially damaging for Biden to bow out of the last two debates. I would counter that Biden has nothing to gain and everything to lose by going forward with them. Think about it: Biden's big advantage throughout this campaign has been his ability to not be like Trump. His civility and empathy have been in stark contrast to Trump's narcissism. While Trump's core supporters may love his devisive rhetoric, a majority of voters do not. Biden offers them at least some hope of what a post-Trump America could look like. But he can't convey that hope while at the same time being dragged into a food fight with John Belushi.
We are 34 days away from the election. People are already voting by mail and the country is on the verge of a civil war. The instigator in chief has poured enough kerosine on the grill. At all costs, he must be kept as far away from the matches as possible before the whole damn place goes up in flames.
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