If something is obvious I note it and move on. Last night’s debate was a debacle.
President Trump specializes in distraction. Last night’s performance was his specialty at work. There are no rotating spotlights in Trump’s world. Rules to the contrary are readily breached.
Inevitably the post-debate commentary noted Joe Biden’s numerous interruptions. A better strategy might have been to just let Trump be Trump. But my intuitive assessment is that if Biden had taken a decorous approach it would have aligned with the low energy criticism and not served him well.
My further thought regards the moderator. I have watched Chris Wallace numerous times and regard him as quite able. Last night was once again proof that the Trump style is disabling.
Finally, if I were representing Biden I would insist on what I call the silent mic rule. If the rules on time allotted or interruption are breached then the mic would be turned off. The rules would mute craziness; the viewers would not have to use their TV mute button.
I am sure political wizards are busy trying to figure out what strategic or tactical approaches will best serve their candidate. Speaking as one member of the audience and electorate, my attitude is simple: do not embarrass the United States a second time.
Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al recently published Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books.
Matt LaMotte says
It was two hours wasted…
Two hours we’ll never get back again!
What a national embarrassment.
Bob Potter says
The fact of Trump causes despair. What happened to the Republican Party? When I was a boy in a small town in California, the Republicans of the town were the leaders, the successful upright citizens who were active in local government and charities. My father–a staunch Roosevelt Democrat–used to say that the Democrats’ job was to look after the least among us and the Republicans’ role was to see that we didn’t go broke in the process. I don’t recognize present-day Republicans. I am tired of hearing political conversations end with “Well, look at your 401K. Things are great.” How about our American souls? Are they great? In the Army in Europe in the 60s (as the tip of the spear against the Russians) it was a prideful thing to be a representative of the “greatest nation on earth.” What has happened to us? The fact of Trump tells us we have lost our way. After last night, God help us.
Andy Dalton says
Al Sikes comment on the recent debate sets out a false equivalent. Biden’s “numerous interruptions” were no match for the total meltdown of Trump. Chris Wallace failed to control what may have been the uncontrollable. Public response in the polls shows voters did not fault Biden as he maintained his composure when baited to respond in like kind to Trump’s diatribe.