The Limits of 'Snarl'

Despite what was scheduled to be a debate but became what appeared to be a food fight Tuesday night between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, one thing became clear to me: Biden cares about the entire country. Trump does not.

That became clear to me when Trump, per usual, tried to run over not only Biden but also debate moderator Chris Wallace with lies, deflections and personal attacks.

But, as I think we’re beginning to see now, “snarl” can get you only so far.

Trump, significantly down in the polls in major swing states, has nevertheless never made any effort to unite the country, with his attacks on people of color, Muslims and especially “liberals” (which he overstatedly refers to as the “radical left”) being part and parcel of his never-ending campaign strategy.

But with the economy tanking, racial unrest rising and especially the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, he’s shown himself, as Michelle Obama said during the Democratic National Convention last month, “not … up to the job.” For that reason, he’s maintained his propensity to lash out at enemies, real or perceived — he has nothing else left.

Tuesday night’s debate sounded like a hot mess in a train wreck, and upon inspection it proved to be such (I stopped watching after 45 minutes). But there was a deeper meaning that you shouldn’t miss: This was a face-off between a bully and a decent person — and the bully is losing as things stand now.

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Previously published on Uncommonsensecommentary.blogspot.com.

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