Friday and the end of work week #43. Ten to go (remember, there are 53 weeks in 2020, the cruelest year of them all). I’ve got a special announcement at the end of today’s commentary, so read it all.
I just watched what is probably the last of the presidential debates and — I’m glad that’s over. Does anybody really believe these are anything more than the grown-up version of, “I know you are, but what am I?” You can see the contestants just waiting for the next opening to deliver their well-rehearsed insult, “gotcha” or redirect.
Frankly, I was surprised that Biden lasted as long as he did. He sounded lucid for most of the debate, but began to slip in the last 20-30 minutes, slurring or stumbling over his words. He also lied a lot in the form of denials, like “no one lost their insurance with Obamacare,” “I didn’t call you xenophobic” and “I never said I would ban fracking.”
Trump, constrained by the new rule of muting each contestant’s mic, actually benefitted from the change. From my perspective, he came off as knowledgeable, reasonable and in control of debate, whereas in the first debacle debate, a lot of that was lost in the crosstalk and interruptions.
Speaking of interruptions — moderator Kristen Welker of NBC News did a passable job in that she didn’t debate Trump’s answers, but she interrupted Trump several times, did not interrupt Biden, and often gave Biden the last word. That favored the former vice president (see my shocked neutral face.)
On the Asian Contagion, Trump touted his quick closing of the country to China, keeping deaths from the virus to 10 percent of what was predicted, and made the argument that if the H1N1 virus during the Obama administration had the lethality of Covid-19, it would’ve been a far greater disaster than what we’re experiencing today. He also argued that we need to open up the country while keeping the most vulnerable protected. Biden basically said he would do what Trump is doing, but impose a national mandate on masks and would not rule out a national shut down. Bad idea.
On national security, especially with Russia’s and Iran’s current interference, Biden said, emphatically, that they would “pay a price.” I immediately thought, “How much would you get?” He didn’t elaborate and offered no specifics.
Trump said, correctly, that “no one has been tougher than me on Russia” and that’s also true for Iran. He tried to get Biden talking about the $3.5 million wired to Hunter from Elena Baturina, the wife of the former mayor of Moscow, correctly stating that Joe Biden got it because the Biden family got it. Joe denied he’d ever gotten any money from foreign countries but tried to pin on Trump “bribing” the president of Ukraine to look into Biden’s dealings. Only the Left believes Biden is telling the truth.
On China: Trump is making them pay; Biden tries to convince Americans that, “you’re getting hurt bad right now.” Are we? I don’t see it, nor do I understand the connection he made. China hurt us via the pandemic, not Trump.
On Healthcare: If Biden is elected, we’re getting “Bidencare” (insert eye-roll here) — which is basically adding a public option to what was formerly known as Obamacare — because health care is a “right.” Trump calls Biden’s plan “socialized medicine.” He wants to end Obamacare while preserving coverage for pre-existing conditions.
On Immigration: Trump explained that the 545 children still being held in the US “were brought in by coyotes or cartels” and that we’re trying to locate their families. Biden, predictably, accused Trump of separating them from their parents. But how does Biden know that? Is that true in every case? The majority of cases? 545 children not being with their parents is 545 too many, but there’s more at work here than just Trump’s zero tolerance policy.
Biden also said he’d fast track “11 million” illegal immigrants to citizenship. That number of illegals in the country is completely out-of-date. The number is at least three times that, and probably more. If Biden does it, say hello to at least 33 million new Democrat voters to the U.S. and say goodbye to Republican governance.
On Race: Biden claims that there is “institutional racism” in the United States, that we’ve not achieved our ideals yet. Trump plastered Biden with the disastrous 1994 crime bill he authored, calling blacks “super predators” and then touted his achievements, including criminal and prison reform, implementing “opportunity zones” and guaranteeing long-term funding for historically black colleges. Biden fumbled his excuses and denied calling blacks “super predators.” Partially true. He only called them “predators.”
It was during this exchange that Biden and Trump made two crystal clear statements. Trump, speaking directly to Biden: “I ran because of you.” That was powerful because it was not meant as a compliment.
But when Biden said, “Character is on the ballot,” I almost fell off my chair. He has the audacity to offer his character as meaningful in this election? Who’s zoomin’ who?
On Climate Change: Trump pulled us out of the Paris Accords, promoted our low carbon emissions, and slammed China, Russia and India as examples of where the real problem lies. Biden trotted out the tired “existential crisis” and climate alarmism.
But then, a huge admission: Biden said he would transition away from oil and stop subsidizing it. He wants to eliminate the oil industry and get to “zero emissions.” Breathtaking. Did you hear that, Pennsylvania?
In their final statements, Trump said that “Success is going to pull us together.” I think that’s accurate to a large degree, although the Left doesn’t want it and won’t unite over it. For his part, Biden reiterated that “character” is on the ballot. Yeesh.
While Biden showed up prepared, I don’t think he landed any serious blows. There are too many questions about his alleged grifting and his denials are not believable. He had no answers except to deny all charges in the face of highly credible evidence.
On the other hand, I thought Trump exhibited confidence and strength. Biden walked on stage with a mask; Trump didn’t. Trump was bold enough to predict he’ll take Pennsylvania. Biden didn’t talk about it at all. Biden was lucid, but filled gaps in his arguments with “C’mon,” repeated other empty phrases, used the word “malarkey” and began to noticeably fray near the end.
If it was a boxing match, I’d give Trump the decision on points. Now comes the sprint to the finish on November 3.
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: I’m giving the keyboard next week to a childhood friend, military veteran, musician, author, fitness instructor and devoted Christian family man who blogs at Muscular Christianity Online. Bruce Gust and I go back to our early teens in a church youth group where his dad was a leader and mentor I admired. He blogs on politics (and other topics) from an unapologetic Christian perspective, and he’s agreed to provide a “Daily Broadside” on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
My thanks to him in advance. You’ll be in good hands.
[Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels]