Election 2020

[digster]

So he's a doddering fool that somehow manages to flip a switch for those moments he's on television with a big audience? The Trump administration's assertion is not that he stumbles on words more than he used to or said something stupid; it's that he's completely incapacitated. And that's just not the case, whether it's a nationally televised debate or a 1-on-1 interview, no matter how many clip shows they scramble to put together.

This is not me saying anything about Biden's worth (or lack thereof) as a candidate; I don't really think being able to string two sentences together is the mark of a strong candidate the way the Trump camp seems to. It's just the continued adherence to this talking point on this issue feels like sunk cost fallacy; they've gone too far with this line of attack to turn it back, despite how absurd it is. There are so many easier and better ways to go after Biden.

[Mickey]

I have just never understood the Trump campaign's determination that the best route of attack was going to be "Biden can't string two sentences together." Sure, his base can Jedi mind trick themselves into thinking the guy who gave the speech tonight is in late-stage Alzheimer's, but to everyone else, he was always going to eventually be giving nationally televised speeches and debates, when it would be apparent that he's not, whatever you think about the quality of the speech.

This happened to a degree in the primaries as well; everyone acted like he was going to be a tire fire in his one-on-one with Sanders, which meant he could walk away with a 'meh' as a victory. I know it's a fool's errand to attach long-term thinking or logic to the Trump campaign, but what did they think was going to eventually happen?

I mean, to be fair, Joe Biden has been rarely capable of stringing two sentences together this year--the notable exceptions are his debate with Sanders and last night's speech. I agree that it's not a great strategy but the reason why it's tempting is pretty clear.

He's had stumbles and gaffs, but nothing I would characterize as "rarely capable of stringing two sentences together." And he certainly doesn't make as many stumbles and gaffs and Trump. That's why it's such a ridiculous strategy. You're gonna put "Yo! Semite!" up against someone who tripped up his recital of the Declaration of Independence?

I'll quote my less hyperbolic post

Maybe not dementia, but he's lost a step, he's a little slower, he trails off and gets distracted more easily. He (or his team) are able to get up for the big televised events but the videos from the campaign trail show that that's not a daily reality. So, yes, I do think the President himself doth protest too much (especially relying again and again on that "cognitive test" that he passed), but we're not dealing with 2008 Biden which makes it *very* tempting for any campaign matched up against him to rely on that attack, even if, again, it has a high potential to backfire.

Is Trump exaggerating it? Yes. Is he exaggerating it in ways that deflect from his own obvious cognitive decline? Yes. Will it likely be a non-issue in a race between two septuagenarians? Yes. I'm only saying that I understand the temptation.

[digster]

Knocking Biden for being a Washington creature who's been the establishment for decades sounds a lot dumber when you've been the leader of the free world for four years, but it's still better than whatever this is.

[Mickey]

I will note, this Pew poll from June is probably indicative of what's encouraging the Trump strategy, if we think "energy" and "mental sharpness" go hand in hand. It's also... the only real avenue.

[JuanHamm]

Her running mate, btw, is the most libertarian-looking guy on the planet:

He needs one of those stupid engineer goatees.

[96583UP]

Computer: show me swing state polls only, from now on

[Strat]

So now we move onto the debates huh?

Will Trump debate?

Secondly, if so, how do you think he will do with no audience to feed off of in person?

[BurtReynolds]

A great graph illustrating the need to abolish democracy

[dad]

I bet no crowd would make things worse for him. It’s not like he’s a great debater anyway, but lack of an audience will def throw him off.

[Norah]

Also, not having a woman he can physically intimidate is a setback.

[simple schoolboy]

Her running mate, btw, is the most libertarian-looking guy on the planet:

I thought physiognomy was a problematic, reactionary practice.

Anyhow, Gary was an empty suit and his running mate effectively endorsed Clinton. I haven't been paying attention to this ticket, but I have to assume its an improvement.

[96583UP]

A great graph illustrating the need to abolish democracyimprove the education system

ftfy

[Strat]

[BurtReynolds]

A great graph illustrating the need to abolish democracyimprove the education system

ftfy

If by improvement, you mean burning down the schools, ok.

[Higgs]

Classic.

[Biff Pocoroba]

If Joe Biden is elected then four of the last five Presidents would have no military experience. GW Bush, of course, served in the Alabama National Guard. As time moves on it's increasingly unlikely that a Vietnam veteran will become President, which is amazing to considering the length of the conflict and how important military service used to seem to be for even consideration of the office. I'm sure some of us remember the criticism Dan Quayle got for only serving in the National Guard.
That said there could well be an Iraq/Afghanistan veteran elected one day.

[Mickey]

If Joe Biden is elected then four of the last five Presidents would have no military experience. GW Bush, of course, served in the Alabama National Guard. As time moves on it's increasingly unlikely that a Vietnam veteran will become President, which is amazing to considering the length of the conflict and how important military service used to seem to be for even consideration of the office. I'm sure some of us remember the criticism Dan Quayle got for only serving in the National Guard.
That said there could well be an Iraq/Afghanistan veteran elected one day.

President Dan Crenshaw.

[Simple Torture]

Eye hope not.

[Mickey]

Yeah I can't really see it happening

[Mickey]

Sight Wasted