Presidential debate megathread (debate 1: June 27, 9pm EDT, CNN)

[President Johnson]

I think having the debates earlier in the year helps Trump, actually.

The public memory is short. Unless he absolutely BOMBS the first debate, I think most will consider it a draw and it won't be in the public memory by November.

The second and final debate is September 10th. That's almost 2 months out from the election. Again, unless Trump bombs this one, has a Gerald Ford "there is no domination of Eastern Europe" moment, I don't think it'll have any major impact. For either, really

"no matter what happens with the debates, it helps Trump actually"

god i am EXHAUSTED

It's kind of odd when you consider yourself a huge Obama stan while strong critic of Biden at the same time. From a Democratic perspective, Biden has been a better president and party leader. Only terms of charisma, Obama is obviously in a league of his own, only comparable with Clinton and Reagan.

[Eraserhead]

I think having the debates earlier in the year helps Trump, actually.

The public memory is short. Unless he absolutely BOMBS the first debate, I think most will consider it a draw and it won't be in the public memory by November.

The second and final debate is September 10th. That's almost 2 months out from the election. Again, unless Trump bombs this one, has a Gerald Ford "there is no domination of Eastern Europe" moment, I don't think it'll have any major impact. For either, really

"no matter what happens with the debates, it helps Trump actually"

god i am EXHAUSTED

You are literally the exact opposite of this to be fair.

[Eraserhead]

I think having the debates earlier in the year helps Trump, actually.

The public memory is short. Unless he absolutely BOMBS the first debate, I think most will consider it a draw and it won't be in the public memory by November.

The second and final debate is September 10th. That's almost 2 months out from the election. Again, unless Trump bombs this one, has a Gerald Ford "there is no domination of Eastern Europe" moment, I don't think it'll have any major impact. For either, really

"no matter what happens with the debates, it helps Trump actually"

god i am EXHAUSTED

It's kind of odd when you consider yourself a huge Obama stan while strong critic of Biden at the same time. From a Democratic perspective, Biden has been a better president and party leader. Only terms of charisma, Obama is obviously in a league of his own, only comparable with Clinton and Reagan.

Everything you said is entirely subjective and if Biden does end up losing this year, I doubt there will be many people who will agree with you.

[Obama24]

I think having the debates earlier in the year helps Trump, actually.

The public memory is short. Unless he absolutely BOMBS the first debate, I think most will consider it a draw and it won't be in the public memory by November.

The second and final debate is September 10th. That's almost 2 months out from the election. Again, unless Trump bombs this one, has a Gerald Ford "there is no domination of Eastern Europe" moment, I don't think it'll have any major impact. For either, really

"no matter what happens with the debates, it helps Trump actually"

god i am EXHAUSTED

I'm just stating my opinion.

Usually debates are held in late September - mid October, when the performance of such would perhaps swing the election. It's been commonly suggested that the second debate in 1976 cost Gerry Ford the election and that if that election were held just two weeks later, he would've won. Al Gore may have lost 2000 in part because in the debates he came off stiff and pushy compared to Bush.

But these are different. We're having our first debate in the middle of summer. MONTHS out from the election. The second is in mid September, almost two months out.

I just don't see a downside for Trump with them unless he makes a massive gaffe that doesn't resound well. The bar is very very very low for both he and Biden. Trump needs to not make a racial slur and Biden needs to not fall asleep or even seem with it for either to have 'done well'

[wbrocks67]

I think having the debates earlier in the year helps Trump, actually.

The public memory is short. Unless he absolutely BOMBS the first debate, I think most will consider it a draw and it won't be in the public memory by November.

The second and final debate is September 10th. That's almost 2 months out from the election. Again, unless Trump bombs this one, has a Gerald Ford "there is no domination of Eastern Europe" moment, I don't think it'll have any major impact. For either, really

"no matter what happens with the debates, it helps Trump actually"

god i am EXHAUSTED

I'm just stating my opinion.

Usually debates are held in late September - mid October, when the performance of such would perhaps swing the election. It's been commonly suggested that the second debate in 1976 cost Gerry Ford the election and that if that election were held just two weeks later, he would've won. Al Gore may have lost 2000 in part because in the debates he came off stiff and pushy compared to Bush.

But these are different. We're having our first debate in the middle of summer. MONTHS out from the election. The second is in mid September, almost two months out.

I just don't see a downside for Trump with them unless he makes a massive gaffe that doesn't resound well. The bar is very very very low for both he and Biden. Trump needs to not make a racial slur and Biden needs to not fall asleep or even seem with it for either to have 'done well'

Trump lost every debate in 2020. And 2016. There absolutely is a downside for him. It's not just "not making a racial slur" - the point of having the early debate, which you seem to be missing,is to solidfy the matchup for those that are disengaged. It's to set the stage and let everyone know - even in June - this is real. The debates aren't going to be "make or break" for anyone unless there is some huge issue, but it certainly can hurt/help and give Biden momentum if he's able to turn in a good appearance, helping galvanize the voters he needs to return to the fold.

Debates are never make or break. The 2020 1st debate absolutely hurt Trump. But it was never going to cost him the race - they rarely ever do.

[wbrocks67]

I think having the debates earlier in the year helps Trump, actually.

The public memory is short. Unless he absolutely BOMBS the first debate, I think most will consider it a draw and it won't be in the public memory by November.

The second and final debate is September 10th. That's almost 2 months out from the election. Again, unless Trump bombs this one, has a Gerald Ford "there is no domination of Eastern Europe" moment, I don't think it'll have any major impact. For either, really

"no matter what happens with the debates, it helps Trump actually"

god i am EXHAUSTED

You are literally the exact opposite of this to be fair.

Nice try but no. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that a very bad Joe Biden debate performance is somehow good for his campaign.

[Eraserhead]

I think having the debates earlier in the year helps Trump, actually.

The public memory is short. Unless he absolutely BOMBS the first debate, I think most will consider it a draw and it won't be in the public memory by November.

The second and final debate is September 10th. That's almost 2 months out from the election. Again, unless Trump bombs this one, has a Gerald Ford "there is no domination of Eastern Europe" moment, I don't think it'll have any major impact. For either, really

"no matter what happens with the debates, it helps Trump actually"

god i am EXHAUSTED

You are literally the exact opposite of this to be fair.

Nice try but no. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that a very bad Joe Biden debate performance is somehow good for his campaign.

I guess that's probably true because you would never state that any Joe Biden performance was bad in the first place.