When debates were civil exercises between worthy opponents (speech, cost, school)

[Thundarr457]

I suffered through the debate last night and I must admit it was more entertaining than almost anything else on TV. Everyone's opinion and feelings have already been expressed in other threads ad nauseum, so I will not add to it. I will direct your attention to a clip, from what I consider the greatest one liner in the history of debates. It was 36 years ago and I remember it, as if it were yesterday.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoPu1UIBkBc

[ATX Wahine]

Different era. A much more mutually respectful time in American politics.

I took Speech Communications and Debate in school and everything I ever learned seems to be in absence in today’s debates.

[BoBromhal]

it's evidenced by the lack of interest in this topic, or almost any topic that attempts actual discussion on this board.

the whole board is largely a big protest and counter-protest.

[Volobjectitarian]

They are never debating. These are mano y mano campaign speeches, not debates.

A debate has a central question/issue, and each side takes either the pro or con side, and then they use FACTS and LOGIC to make the argument for their position, and a judge (or panel of) decides the winner on the merits of each side's facts, skills, etc using an actual scoring methodology.

In a real debate, interruptions cost you points. Unchecked lies, assumptions, subjective narratives, etc cost you points. Saying one syllable after the judge calls time costs you points. Giving assertions without a fact based reference in your hand (in a card box, file, etc) costs you points. Etc etc.

THAT is a debate. Not these monkey humping a football clown shows.

[beach43ofus]

When 1 candidate is speaking the others microphone should be turned off.

When a candidate reaches their time limit, their mic should turn off.

That could have cleaned up last nights mess a lot.

[momonkey]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

When 1 candidate is speaking the others microphone should be turned off.

When a candidate reaches their time limit, their mic should turn off.

That could have cleaned up last nights mess a lot.

That won't work because Biden will have to remember what they were just talking about.

Trump may have helped dementia Joe by continually giving him something to respond to instead of allowing his thought process to fail as he speaks.

[Finn_Jarber]

They should cancel the other two debates. There is no point in trying to debate Trump when he just tries to shout you down. He interrupted Biden 70 times, or pretty much every time Biden tried to say something.

[Ralph_N_1962]

just another sign this country is headed for a break up

[Volobjectitarian]

Originally Posted by Finn_Jarber

They should cancel the other two debates. There is no point in trying to debate Trump when he just tries to shout you down. He interrupted Biden 70 times, or pretty much every time Biden tried to say something.

Agree, and additionally, every debate will also follow the Wallace formula of joining Biden in an explicit 2v1 matchup vs Trump where both are yelling at him, or an implicit 2v1 based on the questions being:

• Trump - since you are a godless monster who eats puppies, why should anyone vote for you?
• Biden - how can one person contain as much awesome and coolness as you do?

All the way around, these are freakshows that resemble nothing near an actual debate.

[gwynedd1]

Originally Posted by Finn_Jarber

They should cancel the other two debates. There is no point in trying to debate Trump when he just tries to shout you down. He interrupted Biden 70 times, or pretty much every time Biden tried to say something.

So when Biden goes to the g20 summit , Biden should also ask them to cancel it, right?



Here is what sock puppet presidents look like:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NfOxD9CQU4