The US Election Debates 2020 Thread After Hours

[Dylan]

President Donald Trump and his challenger Joe Biden have fiercely clashed in one of the most chaotic and rancorous White House debates in years.

Amid angry shouting and name calling, the two fought over the pandemic, white supremacy and the economy during the 90-minute forum in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr Biden called the president a "clown" and told him to "shut up". Mr Trump brought up drug use by his rival's son.

Opinion polls suggest Mr Biden has a steady single-digit lead over Mr Trump.

But with 35 days until election day, surveys from several important states show a closer contest.

Polls also suggest one in 10 Americans have yet to make up their mind who to vote for. But analysts said Tuesday night's debate - the first of three - probably would not make much difference.

This was an absolute mess. I thought UK politics and the petty squabbling in parliament was bad but this was a different level.

Although Biden wasn't good, Trump was mental. And he won't have added a single wavering voter - and he needs them.

Mr Trump said: "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by, but I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left."

The Proud Boys, an anti-immigrant, all-male group, took to social media to celebrate. "Standing down and standing by sir," it posted on Telegram.

Extraordinary that a group like "proud boys" would get a mention in a Presidential debate in such a way.

 

[Gemma]

Extraordinary that a group like "proud boys" would get a mention in a Presidential debate in such a way.

"Proud Boys - Stand back, stand by, but I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about Antifa and the left because this is not right-wing problem..... This is a left wing problem."

Sounds like a recruiting slogan for proud boys. Frightening times. For an American president to name check a right-wing neo-fascist organisation and put them on "stand by" during a Presidential debate is absolutely horrifying.

 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1311142235077967872

Joe Biggs is the neo-fascist leader of the Proud Boys.

 

[Franco Pinion]

Just been catching snippets on the news this morning.

In my opinion, no-one really won or lost. It sadly reflected the demise of American politics but one thing is for certain Trump amplified all of his negative traits that won't attract undecided voters towards him.

 

[Sad Professor]

With the world's eyes watching that debate will be an embarrassment to many in America though I don't think it will bother Trump at all.

Neither candidate came out of it very well and if they were looking to sway undecided voters then they both failed miserably.

 

[Jess]

 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/498008486551506945

Always a tweet ?

 

[Mouth]

Monday: "My message to the Proud Boys is stand aside, stand by."

Tuesday: "I've never heard of the Proud Boys, who are they?"

 

[Franco Pinion]

Trump says he will 'not waste my time' with a 'virtual debate' after CPD announces changes to the next debate scheduled for 15th October

 

[Bandit]

A much more "civilised" debate last night. Kristen Welker did an excellent job as moderator. I don't think Trump or Biden did anything that will sway voters although I think Biden scored an own goal with his statement about the oil industry - yes, fossil fuels will eventually be replaced, not just in America but globally, but Trump will highlight this and make false claims right up to election day.

Overall, I think Biden sounded like he had more of a plan going forward than Trump

 

[Ray Gin]

Trump was more composed in this debate than the first debate but I'm not sure who he appealed to than wasn't already part of his base. Maybe a GOP voter or two that were going to sit out the election based on the lunatic he appeared to be during the first debate, but who else? He spent the majority of his time either putting up a weak defence or rambling about right-wing conspiracy theories that will go over the head of most that aren't inside that bubble and likely voters anyway.

The one thing that this debate really showed how idiotic the "Biden is senile" play was over the last year from the Trump campaign.