I would be so happy – so very, very happy – to have another Obama/Romney debate.
Wouldn’t you?
Think of it: two highly intelligent, composed, and accomplished adults making thoughtful arguments for their ideology. Smart zingers. Self-deprecating laughter. Decorum. Dignity.
But after the nonsense of last night’s debate, I fear we will never see a debate like that again.
There was Trump, flailing, shouting, talking for no reason about some hypothetical 400-lb person, sitting on a bed somewhere, hacking into the DNC, and with enough pizzazz to reasonably frame the Russians for his/her trouble. Talking for little reason about his club in Palm Beach, amongst a tough crowd, but a wealthy crowd, one of the richest in the world, where they were lauded for… not being racist.
Trump knocked NATO, he criticized NAFTA, he continued to support Putin. He bragged about not paying taxes.
I. Can’t. Even.
(And yes, I’m a millennial, so I’m allowed with that phrase. I’m also a freelance writer who cannot escape a huge tax rate, so there are some unprintable words I have towards Trump here).
And there was Hillary Clinton, calm, composed, intelligible, informed.
And totally unable to really go after Trump. Why? Because the famous Trump counterpunch is too easy. If she needles him for his sexism, he can bring up the litany of Bill Clinton sleaze histories. If she goes after him for lack of experience, he can come back with her “bad” experience: the failure in Syrian policy, the leaky Iran deal, the failed state of Libya post-Gaddafi.
Trump doesn’t release his tax returns. She won’t release her Goldman-Sachs speeches.
It’s a childish game of tit-for-tat, but Trump is a child, so he’s always game to play.
They are both hamstrung by their own weak spots.
I want another Obama/Romney matchup. I want to see we have the best and brightest in a room together, and even if my preferred candidate loses, the country will (probably) be okay. Because the other person (man or woman) is still smart, still honest, and still genuinely seeking the best for the whole country.
Instead, well… we’ve got what we’ve got. My sense is that Clinton won, because she handled her emotions, and she is in control of the facts.
Then again, I watched Trump lose every Republican debate he showed up for, and still go on to win the nomination. So… my opinion may not indicate the mood of the country.
Source: 30dB.com – Hillary Clinton and Debate vs Donald Trump and Debate
“So this is what a Social spanking looks like. Hillary was the clear winner in last night’s debate, however, both candidates are still below water at sub 50% positive in their overall positives today” – Howard K 30dB
Photo: Getty Images