I watched the entire debate and Prof. Richardson has summarized it quite well. For me, it was a spectacle of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Good: VP Kamala Harris’s performance. She was strong, forceful, and answered most of the questions in a serious way. I did wish she would have shown some humility in admitting to some mistakes, but saying she has learned from them - something we all do as we go through life. She didn’t have all the answers for solutions to all of the country’s problems, but nobody does. What she demonstrated is that she has the right attitude and approach to bring the disparate peoples of the country together to find the solutions, and that is what really matters. I cannot possibly predict who will win the election In November, but I do know who *deserves* to win the election - VP Kamala Harris.
The Bad: The ABC moderators. For the most part, they sat silently in their chairs like helpless ceramic garden gnomes while Trump spewed out a torrent of lies. To be fair, they did sort of fact check Trump two or three times, and if I were giving out grades, I would assign them a C- or D. I found myself reflexively shouting at my computer screen for the moderators to “shut his goddamn mic off!” They didn’t even follow their own rules on muting the mics. On further reflection, I don’t think they did Trump any favors by failing to mute his microphone on many occasions.
The Ugly: Trump’s performance. For the first 5-10 minutes, I thought he might get hold of himself and come across like a viable presidential candidate, but it was not to last. He quickly veered off into that fantasy land that occupies the inside of his skull. This is not the place for me to write a 10,000 word essay detailing and refuting the seemingly limitless volume of exaggerations, half-truths, out right lies and complete fantasies that passed through his lips in those 90-minutes. Suffice it to say that he performed the verbal equivalent of masturbating in public. If I was walking down the sidewalk and a guy was ahead of me ranting and raving about eating people’s pets and performing sex-change operations on immigrants, I’d have crossed to the other side of the street and continued quickly on my way.
I have to say, I thought the moderators actually did a pretty good job. It's never been up to moderators to fact-check, as they might in an interview or town hall. Usually that's up to the candidates. I think if they had jumped in on anything but the most egregious of the lies, it could have implied that Kamala Harris was weak and couldn't handle the job. Worse, too much fact checking could take a lot of valuable time and allow Trump’s lies to dominate the conversation. I rather liked the balance they struck. (Small potential quibble with David's editorial comment that Trump’s admissions about the 2020 election didn't sound sarcastic. Might not have been necessary?) Both candidates got equal opportunities to answer hard questions. Only one candidate came prepared with answers.
I agree that unmuting Trump’s mic did him no favors. The extra time he got annoyed me initially, but as time went on I realized things were working out just fine.
Thank you for your commentary on last night's debate. I have trouble watching the Republican candidate because he turns my stomach. I went back and forth between a wonderful Korean movie, it was a comedy, and the debate. Kamala Harris did as I expected her to do, she went for the jugular early and then killed him off with a thousand cuts. The fool took the bait every time. He got played big time! How it is that his cult followers can continue to defend him is beyond understanding.
Thank you. This was a shattering debate for Trump, and amply told. It should be watched though. It's posted on the Harris Walz website and elsewhere in clips and probably on Youtube. How can anyone look at and listen to Trump and think he is fit (or ever was) to be POTUS. .. even if you are angry about one thing or another? How can a person think so little of the country we live in, believing the black picture Trump paints, to buy into what he says and threatens to do ?? Humanity, I am learning late, comes not only in all shapes and colors, but states of mind. If there were any truly undecided that listened and were also connected to reality it's hard to imagine they would vote for Trump, would want this for our country. Never mind the prosecuting of him for federal and state crimes against the Constitution and the law. I hope this seeps into the collective "public mind" well enough that it spreads even to those who persist in sticking their heads in the ground...while listening to MAGA media, Fox for support.
She was Brilliant and he was the Orange Clown... Yet the MAGA got the truth, and they had to revert to the fact that he was unprepared... Along with the fact that he was never qualified or prepared, and truly >>> Unbelievable...!
So Brilliantly- so well said - I’m so glad I’m on the right team. Vice President Harris made Tuna Salad with old mayo out of the new silver streaked dyed coyote but the same whiney rusty old tongue! Viva USA!!
Thanks Heather. Harris was professional, astute and made us proud. Your commentary was right on. And also I believe Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris may just be what wins us the upcoming election. I feel it in my bones. Many blessings to you for today’s oh so important letter 🇺🇸🗽🗳️🥁🕯️🕊️💙🌻
I watched the entire debate and Prof. Richardson has summarized it quite well. For me, it was a spectacle of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Good: VP Kamala Harris’s performance. She was strong, forceful, and answered most of the questions in a serious way. I did wish she would have shown some humility in admitting to some mistakes, but saying she has learned from them - something we all do as we go through life. She didn’t have all the answers for solutions to all of the country’s problems, but nobody does. What she demonstrated is that she has the right attitude and approach to bring the disparate peoples of the country together to find the solutions, and that is what really matters. I cannot possibly predict who will win the election In November, but I do know who *deserves* to win the election - VP Kamala Harris.
The Bad: The ABC moderators. For the most part, they sat silently in their chairs like helpless ceramic garden gnomes while Trump spewed out a torrent of lies. To be fair, they did sort of fact check Trump two or three times, and if I were giving out grades, I would assign them a C- or D. I found myself reflexively shouting at my computer screen for the moderators to “shut his goddamn mic off!” They didn’t even follow their own rules on muting the mics. On further reflection, I don’t think they did Trump any favors by failing to mute his microphone on many occasions.
The Ugly: Trump’s performance. For the first 5-10 minutes, I thought he might get hold of himself and come across like a viable presidential candidate, but it was not to last. He quickly veered off into that fantasy land that occupies the inside of his skull. This is not the place for me to write a 10,000 word essay detailing and refuting the seemingly limitless volume of exaggerations, half-truths, out right lies and complete fantasies that passed through his lips in those 90-minutes. Suffice it to say that he performed the verbal equivalent of masturbating in public. If I was walking down the sidewalk and a guy was ahead of me ranting and raving about eating people’s pets and performing sex-change operations on immigrants, I’d have crossed to the other side of the street and continued quickly on my way.
I have to say, I thought the moderators actually did a pretty good job. It's never been up to moderators to fact-check, as they might in an interview or town hall. Usually that's up to the candidates. I think if they had jumped in on anything but the most egregious of the lies, it could have implied that Kamala Harris was weak and couldn't handle the job. Worse, too much fact checking could take a lot of valuable time and allow Trump’s lies to dominate the conversation. I rather liked the balance they struck. (Small potential quibble with David's editorial comment that Trump’s admissions about the 2020 election didn't sound sarcastic. Might not have been necessary?) Both candidates got equal opportunities to answer hard questions. Only one candidate came prepared with answers.
I agree that unmuting Trump’s mic did him no favors. The extra time he got annoyed me initially, but as time went on I realized things were working out just fine.
Thank you for your commentary on last night's debate. I have trouble watching the Republican candidate because he turns my stomach. I went back and forth between a wonderful Korean movie, it was a comedy, and the debate. Kamala Harris did as I expected her to do, she went for the jugular early and then killed him off with a thousand cuts. The fool took the bait every time. He got played big time! How it is that his cult followers can continue to defend him is beyond understanding.
Spot on both written and spoken. Thank you Professor for another brilliant letter. ❤️
Thank you. This was a shattering debate for Trump, and amply told. It should be watched though. It's posted on the Harris Walz website and elsewhere in clips and probably on Youtube. How can anyone look at and listen to Trump and think he is fit (or ever was) to be POTUS. .. even if you are angry about one thing or another? How can a person think so little of the country we live in, believing the black picture Trump paints, to buy into what he says and threatens to do ?? Humanity, I am learning late, comes not only in all shapes and colors, but states of mind. If there were any truly undecided that listened and were also connected to reality it's hard to imagine they would vote for Trump, would want this for our country. Never mind the prosecuting of him for federal and state crimes against the Constitution and the law. I hope this seeps into the collective "public mind" well enough that it spreads even to those who persist in sticking their heads in the ground...while listening to MAGA media, Fox for support.
She was Brilliant and he was the Orange Clown... Yet the MAGA got the truth, and they had to revert to the fact that he was unprepared... Along with the fact that he was never qualified or prepared, and truly >>> Unbelievable...!
Yes, it was fascinating de-baiting.
And then the cherry on top was how different this year is from 2004 .
Fortunately, we’ve gone from “Swift Boating” to Swift voting.
Thank you!!
So Brilliantly- so well said - I’m so glad I’m on the right team. Vice President Harris made Tuna Salad with old mayo out of the new silver streaked dyed coyote but the same whiney rusty old tongue! Viva USA!!
She made mincemeat.
Thanks Heather. Harris was professional, astute and made us proud. Your commentary was right on. And also I believe Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris may just be what wins us the upcoming election. I feel it in my bones. Many blessings to you for today’s oh so important letter 🇺🇸🗽🗳️🥁🕯️🕊️💙🌻
brilliant
I loved following your Twitter during the debate! 🤓