Patterico's Pontifications

9/23/2020

Debate Questions Open Thread

Filed under: General — Dana @ 10:22 am



[guest post by Dana]

Let us know what questions you would like to see asked at the presidential debates. How would you like to see the questions worded, which issues take priority with you, and which issues do you think take priority with voters at large? Further, what do you hope to see the candidates reveal, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and what are you personally looking for from each candidate? Also, what pitfalls do you think the candidates need to avoid, and what are their most vulnerable points of attack that could be exploited by their opponent?

I know I’ve said it a thousand times before, but my God, from a nation overflowing with brilliant and capable individuals, it’s simply mind-boggling that we are stuck with one of these two goobers becoming the next President of the United States. This, the greatest nation on earth.

–Dana

130 Responses to “Debate Questions Open Thread”

  1. Ready, set, go.

    Dana (292df6)

  2. “Biden/Trump What legitimate limits you see on executive and governmental power? Can you also list 1 or 2 things you would like your administration to do, but recognize that you cannot because of our system of limited government?”

    “Are there any modifications you would make the constitution, including amendments?”

    Time123 (b4d075)

  3. The questions and their wording are irrelevant. Biden isn’t mentally competent to be on the stage, let alone President…unless you want Kamala, after Dr. Jill has Joe sent to a mental rehab facility, and the 25th Amendment is invoked. Assuming Joe lasts that long…what happens if he dies or goes fully demented after winning the election but before inauguration? Ready for a little Constitutional Crisis and social unrest?

    Let’s call the Biden campaign what it is: ELDER ABUSE

    Horatio (2a4b8c)

  4. I’m sorry. The idea that joe is mentally incompetent was yesterday’s talking points. The theory today is that he is an experienced debater and Trump will be lucky to score any points:

    https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/23/trump-biden-first-debate-420189

    I mean seriously, conservatives drink their own kool aid and somehow convinced themselves that Biden was a senile drooling idiot as opposed to just being old. (And as if Trump was some mental giant).

    It reminds me of when some conservatives were apparently actually convinced that Obama was helpless without a teleprompter and that he really believed there were 57 states.

    Anyway, as for questions, how about

    What steps are possible by the federal government to help ensure that in the future Western States don’t all burn down and turn the air all along the coast poisonous to breathe?

    Victor (661f31)

  5. We can go back and forth, however, time will tell…one thing I would demand it that neither man has any sort of electronic receivers on them, including hearing aids..not worried about Trump…I would also require a drug test of both men, especially for what are euphemistically referred to as “brain boosters” or “attention enhancers”…once again, not worried about Trump.

    Of course, this will never happen

    Horatio (2a4b8c)

  6. Kamala, after Dr. Jill has Joe sent to a mental rehab facility, and the 25th Amendment is invoked

    Nope. Kamala is going to use the Edith Wilson precedent, and keep Joe on as window dressing.

    Bored Lawyer (7b72ec)

  7. Mr. Biden, you seem to enjoy placing your hands on the shoulders of females – from children to adults – and nuzzling them. Are you asking their permission to do this or do you assume that women like to be touched by you?

    Hoi Polloi (dc4124)

  8. Well, Dana, since one of the proposed lines of questions in on the integrity of the election, I would like I would like to hear Wallace ask what the candidate’s strategies will be in the Interregnum post-election, when potentially millions of ballots are being contested and the outcome has not been certified by the states.

    Here is a good summary of the legal battles that will ensue if and when the outcome has not been determined.

    https://outline.com/VXErXg

    The problem is with the Electoral College Act in the 12th amendment, which is confusing and unclear. The American people need to have a serious discussion on this issue. But I doubt either Trump or Biden could speak intelligently on the subject.

    Gawain's Ghost (b25cd1)

  9. Mr. Biden, your campaign lids before noon every other day, do you have the stamina to function as President?

    Hoi Polloi (dc4124)

  10. Should a president ever ask Congress to REVOKE a declaration of war / authorization of military force and if so under what circumstances?

    What circumstances must arise to shut down the prisons at “Gitmo”? ( personal disclosure: I’m good with hanging all the current prisoners in order to empty the cells, but I understand other people have concerns, and I’d like some leadership toward a general consensus.)

    Do you consider nuclear fission a viable part of a mix of “green technologies” for our energy needs?

    Are any American businesses too big? Too much of a market share, too influential, too much risk of a single failure bringing down a whole sector — whether banking or the internet or news or pharmaceuticals… Or are big league companies good for America?

    Denmark rejected our offer to buy Greenland. Is there any other real estate left in the world worth peacefully purchasing for American development?

    Should / Would refugees from Hong Kong be afforded the same sorts of privileges that we’ve offered those fleeing Cuba?

    Iconic Democrat FDR set up “labor camps” to combat homelessness, unemployment, poor job skills, and other social problems. How does the US avoid the problems of NAZI “labor camps” turning into prisons and death factories if this solution is tried again — or should this general idea be condemned as a historical mistake?

    The number and size of Executive Branch departments seems to always increase — is there any department that can be cut back or eliminated or consolidated with another? For instance, could “Agriculture” responsibilities be divided among “Interior” or “Commerce”?

    What sorts of decisions would you prefer be made by Congress rather the President or any executive agency? For example, would “DACA” style policy decisions be better as a matter for legislation rather than simple re-prioritization of prosecutions? Are there better examples?

    pouncer (b0e023)

  11. A question about whether Trump is counting on the Supreme Court to rule in his favor on mail in ballots will probably produce interesting results.

    Victor (661f31)

  12. Mr. Biden, who writes your tweets?

    beer ‘n pretzels (d6c4fd)

  13. Thanks, Dana. I was going to suggest a mid-week open thread in general.
    RIP, Gale Sayers.

    Paul Montagu (4a1ef8)

  14. “Do you believe that reforms are needed to break the stranglehold of the two-party system on American politics? If so, what would those reforms look like?”

    Leviticus (efada1)

  15. Do you draw any distinctions between vote “fraud” and vote “harvesting”, and if so, which is the bigger threat to free and fair elections?

    Is it time for a Constitutional Convention of States to address long-simmering issues: the Electoral College, Abortion Rights, Civilian Restrictions on Weapons of War, the composition of SCOTUS, Repeal of the 17th amendment, Term Limits, Line Item Veto, Balance Budgets… ? If not now, ever?

    What issue now seems most direly to call for remedy by Constitutional Amendment? Maybe Abortion?

    Would the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals be better off split into two or more smaller circuits?

    The Federal Reserve Bank is tasked with two goals: manage the money supply, and manage the labor market (unemployment rate). Are these compatible goals, if so which takes priority; and if not which should be removed from their remit?

    If a state or municipal government screws up their budget, especially their pension funding system — should the federal government take over?

    Many states are legalizing marijuana, or de-criminalizing it — while the federal laws are not changing. What would you ask Congress to do about this mis-match?

    pouncer (b0e023)

  16. Mr. Biden, while you were Vice President, the United States toppled the government in Libya, leading to thousands dead, tens of thousands displaced, and ISIS in charge of 1/3 of the country. You and Obama did nothing to help rebuild the country after toppling the government. Do you believe you should help rebuild Libya now?

    Hoi Polloi (dc4124)

  17. >goes fully demented after winning the election but before inauguration?

    we’re four years into the experiment with what happens when someone mentally unfit for office is elected President. Couldn’t possibly be worse than now.

    aphrael (4c4719)

  18. “Do you believe that reforms are needed to break the stranglehold of the two-party system on American politics? If so, what would those reforms look like?”

    This a great put-them-on-the-spot question, Leviticus. I picture a lot of uh, well, right coughing stumbles.

    Dana (292df6)

  19. California already has the two party problem solved.

    beer ‘n pretzels (992625)

  20. y’all crack me up

    y’all be like they goan answer the questions y’all ax

    Dave (1bb933)

  21. #20

    That’s part of the politician’s art — answering the question they wanted you to ask rather than what you said. Given that it seems the consensus that both men have lost a step, maybe they will forget their training and actually address the question asked.

    I like a lot of Pouncer’s questions. The one about GITMO would be fin, as neither one of these guys would be prepped for that. I think a lot of questions about executive power and protecting voting rights during COVID are ones I would like to see.

    Appalled (1a17de)

  22. Good article from a debate coach on what Biden should do to counter Trump’s tactics during the debates.

    There are two styles best suited for Biden. First, he should use humor. Contrary to what may be popular opinion, Joe Biden has always been witty. Using humor to attack, mock and belittle Trump’s [dishonest and overbearing tactics] is an assertive and clever way to both defend against attacks and take the offensive in any debate against a norm-violating Trump. Literally, mock Trump’s ridiculous arguments. Biden’s already been doing this. He should continue that in the debates.

    I’ve been saying this.

    The best part, and my second style tip for Biden: Quotes. Use Trump’s own words against him during the debate. Quote him liberally. In Trump’s fun house world, there’s always a tweet or previous statement where he contradicts himself. After all, as he can remind Trump, “Those aren’t my words. Those words were spoken by YOU.” And if Biden isn’t quoting Trump, then he should be quoting those close to Trump (Republicans, family members, etc.). Imagine using quotes from Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham — both of whom turned from Trump skeptics to his supporters — in a debate against Trump. Imagine using former members of Trump’s own administration or estranged family in a debate against Trump.

    The bonus of this strategy: Biden remains above it all. And Biden can use this endlessly. “Those were the words of your former defense secretary … your former chief of staff … your former national security adviser … your biggest ally in the Senate…” Wouldn’t that be fun! Using Republicans and allies is more persuasive than citing Democrats when criticizing Trump to his face. He cannot so easily dismiss them as “never Trumpers.”

    The second tip seems like excellent advice too.

    Dave (1bb933)

  23. The Trump campaign is reportedly ‘discussing contingency plans to bypass election results’

    President Trump’s campaign is discussing “contingency plans” that would involve bypassing the result of November’s election, reports The Atlantic.

    The report delves into possible scenarios if Trump apparently loses the 2020 presidential election but doesn’t concede, noting that although we’re used to electors being selected based on the popular vote, “nothing in the Constitution says it has to be that way.” Citing Republican Party sources, The Atlantic says that Trump’s campaign is “discussing contingency plans to bypass election results and appoint loyal electors in battleground states where Republicans hold the legislative majority.”

    The campaign would reportedly assert that this step was necessary due to claims of supposed voter fraud, which experts have noted is extraordinarily rare, ahead of the “safe harbor” deadline to appoint 538 electors on Dec. 8.

    As JFK famously said, “If that’s true, it’s going to be a cold winter.”

    Dave (1bb933)

  24. “Mr Biden, please form a sentence using the words “hare, hunter, field”.
    _

    harkin (d6570a)

  25. “Mr Biden, there are quite a few members of your party who are deeply dissatisfied with your professed moderation. Can you assure those in the center that you will govern as a moderate, preventing radical change?”

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  26. “Mr Biden, do Republicans wish to put Black Americans in chains to a greater or lesser degree than in 2012?”
    _

    harkin (d6570a)

  27. Should certain Federal agencies be moved out of the DC area?

    whembly (63cfde)

  28. @23 “Citing Republican Party sources…”

    Are we doing this thing again?

    whembly (63cfde)

  29. “President Trump, your administration has seemed chaotic and arbitrary to many. Can you assure those in the center that you can bring order and direction back to the federal government?”

    Follow-up: “Some are concerned that you have surrounded yourself with yes-men and do not appreciate advisors who caution or dissent. How can you assure voters that you will listen to all sides of an issue before making your decisions.”

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  30. 1) Which is the bigger strategic challenge to the United States in the next two decades, the People’s Republic of China, or the Russian Federation? Why? And whichever you answer, what do you intend to do as president, if elected, to meet that challenge?

    2) The Covid-19 epidemic, although it abated somewhat in the summer, now appears to be having a resurgence. What policies as president would you implement to deal with the epidemic?

    For Biden: going forward, how would your policies differ from the current administration, and why would the be better?

    For Trump: going forward, do you see any changes in your admininstration’s second term policies to deal with the epidemic?

    3) The Covid-19 epidemic has had an immense, and largely negative, impact on the U.S. economy. What as president do you intend to do to deal with this impact?

    4) What are the circumstances you believe it is appropriate to use U.S. troops to deal with a problem? Do you foresee U.S. troops or other military force being used anywhwere in the world in the next four years? Where and why?

    5) The national debt as of August 2020 was estimated to exceed $26 Trillion. That’s almost $79,000 in debt for every person in the United States. Do you view that as a problem? What, if anything, as President do you plan to do to reduce that debt?

    Bored Lawyer (7b72ec)

  31. *Mr Vice-President Biden…

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  32. Mr. Biden, who writes your tweets?

    “President Trump, who writes your tweets?:

    Follow-up: “Does anyone review them first?”

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  33. Mr. Biden, what was it like to fight in the War of 1812?

    beer ‘n pretzels (a4febf)

  34. @Bored lawyer (30)

    6) Do you see a danger of nuclear conflict in Korea, between India and Pakistan, or between Iran and Israel? What are you doing, if anything, to avoid such a catastrophe?

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  35. Mr. Biden, what was it like to fight in the War of 1812?

    On which platform? My son’s PS3 or my Xbox?

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  36. @34

    I would add in India and China. Both nuclear powers, who have had some very tense moments lately.

    Bored Lawyer (7b72ec)

  37. There are two styles best suited for Biden. First, he should use humor

    Biden might be too old for humor. I saw a video of Biden getting heckled by someone from an office window while Biden was doing a photo-op (delivering pizzas to first responders). Biden countered the heckler with “don’t jump.”

    Not really witty at all. Something an old curmudgeon would say.

    I don’t think Biden has it in him. Not at this point.

    Hoi Polloi (dc4124)

  38. Next up in terrible-idea week:

    President Trump’s campaign is discussing “contingency plans” that would involve bypassing the result of November’s election, reports The Atlantic.

    The report delves into possible scenarios if Trump apparently loses the 2020 presidential election but doesn’t concede, noting that although we’re used to electors being selected based on the popular vote, “nothing in the Constitution says it has to be that way.” Citing Republican Party sources, The Atlantic says that Trump’s campaign is “discussing contingency plans to bypass election results and appoint loyal electors in battleground states where Republicans hold the legislative majority.”

    https://theweek.com/speedreads/939191/trump-campaign-reportedly-discussing-contingency-plans-bypass-election-results

    Congress would reject the electoral vote and declare a contingent election in the House and Senate. We’d probably get Biden-Pence.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  39. @ Dave,

    The best part, and my second style tip for Biden: Quotes. Use Trump’s own words against him during the debate. Quote him liberally. In Trump’s fun house world, there’s always a tweet or previous statement where he contradicts himself. After all, as he can remind Trump, “Those aren’t my words. Those words were spoken by YOU.” And if Biden isn’t quoting Trump, then he should be quoting those close to Trump (Republicans, family members, etc.). Imagine using quotes from Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham — both of whom turned from Trump skeptics to his supporters — in a debate against Trump. Imagine using former members of Trump’s own administration or estranged family in a debate against Trump.

    While I think this would be a smart strategy, I think that the tables could easily be flipped and Trump could use Biden’s decades-longer history of quotes against him. He has 50 years worth of quotes from which Trump could cherry pick and use against him, or use to point out his hypocrisy, or flip-flopping.

    Dana (292df6)

  40. > Congress would reject the electoral vote and declare a contingent election in the House and Senate. We’d probably get Biden-Pence.

    In a contingent election, Trump wins, hands down, because *each state gets a single vote*.

    But we don’t need to get there. If the legislators appoint an electoral slate, and the originally elected electors still vote, then there are two sets of votes, and Congress gets to decide which one counts.

    Are we all prepared to party like it’s 1877?

    aphrael (4c4719)

  41. @ Kevin M,

    “Mr Biden, there are quite a few members of your party who are deeply dissatisfied with your professed moderation. Can you assure those in the center that you will govern as a moderate, preventing radical change?”

    This would be an interesting question to ask Biden, especially in light of the public statements from AOC confirming that there will be a push from the hard left wing of the party for him to move in their direction:

    [Asked whether she] and socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders were concerned the septuagenarian candidate was not radical enough for their liking and did not agree with his policy platform.

    “Of course I do,” AOC told “Just The News” on Tuesday when asked if she shared Sanders’ concerns.

    “We’re different people, and clearly I, in the primary, one of the reasons why I was supportive of Sen. Sanders was because of how progressive his stances are,” the 30-year-old democratic socialist lawmaker went on.

    “But, you know, the primaries are over and right now what is most important is to make sure that we ensure a Democratic victory in November and that we continue to push Vice President Biden on issues from marijuana to climate change to foreign policy,” she added.

    I think, overall, we can likely push Vice President Biden in a more progressive direction across policy issues,” she said. “I think foreign policy is an enormous area where we can improve — immigration is another one.”

    Dana (292df6)

  42. ?

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  43. Since the title does say “open thread”, Czechia started a mask mandate early on and they contained the virus. They eased the mandate around Memorial Day but, with the recent increases in new cases and deaths, the mandate is back on. Masks work.

    Paul Montagu (4a1ef8)

  44. If you think about Trump being asked any of these questions listed by commenters, you already know the answers. They will undoubtedly involve, in some fashion or another, bluster, B.S., self-promotion, witch hunts, fake media, and obsfuscation and denial. Rinse, repeat. Only the particulars will change. We will learn nothing be about him, nor about his plans other than slogans we’ve already read a thousand times on his Twitter feed and heard at his rallies.

    Dana (292df6)

  45. Plagiarism, bonespurs, brain surgeries, deferments, Helsinki.

    Ask Biden to create a sentence w/t the words ‘Hare. Hunter. Field.’
    Ask Trump to create a sentence w/t the words ‘Russia. Russia. Russia.’

    Draftees vs. Volunteers: were Beau and McCain suckers or a losers for volunteering for their war or were Joe and Donald smarter for ‘working the system’ and avoiding the draft?

    And please, no questions about ‘boxers or briefs.’

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  46. @7-Mr. Biden, you seem to enjoy placing your hands on the shoulders of females – from children to adults – and nuzzling them. Are you asking their permission to do this or do you assume that women like to be touched by you?

    Mr. Trump, you have been accused of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, including non-consensual kissing or groping, by at least 25 women since the 1970s. Care to comment?

    Turnabout is fair play.

    Rip Murdock (d2a2a8)

  47. After paying a $100,000 for improperly wearing his mask, Pete Carroll has found the perfect item for this Sunday.

    Paul Montagu (4a1ef8)

  48. And this from our president should lead to some questioning about what his priorities are for filling the vacancy:

    President Donald Trump predicted that the U.S. Supreme Court will decide the outcome of the November election and argued the Senate should confirm his nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to break any tie.

    “I think this will end up in the Supreme Court and I think it’s very important that we have nine justices, and I think the system’s going to go very quickly,” Trump said Wednesday at the White House, after criticizing the legitimacy of mail-in voting. He made the remarks during a meeting with Republican attorneys general about alleged anti-conservative bias of tech companies.

    “I think this scam that the Democrats are pulling, it’s a scam, this scam will be before the United States Supreme Court and I think having a 4-4 situation is not a good situation,” Trump said. “Just in case it would be more political than it should be, I think it’s very important to have a ninth judge.”

    https://www.balloon-juice.com/2020/09/23/the-quiet-parts/

    Victor (661f31)

  49. “There are two styles best suited for Biden. First, he should use humor”
    __

    True, he killed with his “back in chains” and “you ain’t black” blasts.
    _

    harkin (d6570a)

  50. Yeah, Dave, I’ve read several articles in the Atlantic and other sources about Trump’s contingency plans to challenge the outcome and legitimacy of the election, should he lose. Some of them are quite scary, because we know Trump is not going to go gently into that good night. As a wannabe authoritarian, he appears perfectly willing to cause a constitutional crisis.

    That’s why I don’t think the debates will matter all that much. Most Republicans and Democrats have already made up their minds, so it will be Independents, Libertarians, undecideds, and swing voters that will determine the outcome. That was good debate advice for Biden though. All he has to do is come across as affable and coherent, comforting, and that should be enough. Using Trump’s and other Republican’s own words against them is a winning strategy.

    I’m more concerned about the post-election Interregnum, because I think it’s going to be brutal. I do not think Trump is going to concede willingly, not even in the face of an overwhelming electoral defeat. He will fight tooth and nail, and he will get vicious, perhaps even unlawful.

    Policies discussed in the debates are largely irrelevant, because voters know that Biden will be a transitional president and Trump will be a lame duck. These debates and this election is really about setting the stage for 2024. I doubt Harris will be able to win the nomination, because both parties are going to be desperately searching for realignment with the people.

    Unless, Trumpism rules the day, which I sincerely hope it does not. The Republicans have some serious thinking to do about their electoral chances and future as a party, while the Democrats can easily readjust.

    That is why I want the most important questions to be about the integrity of the election.

    Gawain's Ghost (b25cd1)

  51. Hey Joe, where you going with that gun in your hand?

    mg (8cbc69)

  52. @44

    And what makes you think we will hear anything more substantive from Biden?

    Bored Lawyer (7b72ec)

  53. “nothing in the Constitution says it has to be that way.”

    As far as arguments go for changing how things have worked for centuries, it’s not the worst possible one I suppose.

    But it used to be that if the constitution doesn’t grant a power, there is no such power. The idea that the executive gets to administrate the elections is simply not in our constitution. They gave something like that power to the legislature but a president who decides if he was re-elected is a king.

    “Mr Biden, do Republicans wish to put Black Americans in chains to a greater or lesser degree than in 2012?”
    _

    harkin (d6570a) — 9/23/2020 @ 1:02 pm

    Bingo. Biden’s absenteeism has helped him be that blank slate, but to the extent he’s fueled problems, he deserves to be called out.

    Dustin (4237e0)

  54. That is why I want the most important questions to be about the integrity of the election.

    Oh yes?

    Asking both candidates– Why do we bother with voter registration? Why not let anyone who shows up, or asks for a ballot, vote? Why not mail ballots to everyone– or at least every household? Like advertising to “resident” or “occupant” — just mail a ballot to valid street addresses and apartments marked for “Voter”? Why not? Is it because rich people who have or use more than one address might get to vote twice? Is it because young people who get mail at both their college dorm and their parent’s original address might vote twice? Is it because immigrants might vote in both US and the elections of their country-of-origin? Is it because evil doers might open other people’s mail boxes and collect ballots and vote many many times?

    If registration is supposed to split off part of the problem of the “integrity” of the ballot — one person, one vote — so that only one ballot, and the correct ballot for the home-of-record, and only for adults and only for non-felons etc etc — if registration is necessary, then why did one party pitch hysterical hissy fits a year or so back about federal efforts to encourage states to “clean up” the registration process? (Which party wanted registration cleaned up, and which party objected? Remind me… )

    Is “registration” necessary for the integrity of voting in this century or is it an obsolete concept?

    pouncer (b0e023)

  55. Hey Joe, do you prefer Uncle Bens or woke rice?

    mg (8cbc69)

  56. “Mr Biden, do Republicans wish to put Black Americans in chains to a greater or lesser degree than in 2012?”
    _

    harkin (d6570a) — 9/23/2020 @ 1:02 pm

    Bingo. Biden’s absenteeism has helped him be that blank slate, but to the extent he’s fueled problems, he deserves to be called out.

    You seem to think this is some sort of ‘gotcha’ question that will trip him up. I’d be surprised if he didn’t apologize to anyone he offended with that imaging and then used ‘chains’ as a metaphor for things that need to be improved; chains of poverty, chains or poor education, chains of a criminal justice system that doesn’t servel all communities equally.

    Time123 (ae9d89)

  57. To joe biden: Considering you and your son hunter’s corrupt relationship with communist china, how do we know you won’t sell the american workers out to communist china as you and both the democratic and republican party have been doing for many years with your free trade policies? By the way most of the questions I have read here are esoteric meaningless B.S. questions.

    asset (65b38c)

  58. Funny how cleaning up registration in 2000 in Florida was so terminally negligent it kicked a lot of actual voters off the rolls just prior to an important election. “Cleaning up” like washing your car with steel wool.

    Anyway, Trump could be asked if he agrees with Amy Barret that justices who dramatically change the “balance of power” on the court shouldn’t be confirmed in election years:

    https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2020/09/balls-and-strikes-strikes-and-balls

    And thus whether he agrees with her implication that the Court is a purely partisan operation and thus he should be able to shape it as he needs for his election.

    Victor (661f31)

  59. O/T:

    Overflowing with brilliaant and capable individuals? Let me address this point, assuming that it even is true…

    Either:

    A) We are no longer a nation overflowing with brilliant and capable individuals as those concepts were understood in the past,

    or

    B) Being brilliant and capable is itself a disqualifier for elected office, particularly at the federal level

    What say you, Dana?

    Gryph (f63000)

  60. By the way most of the questions I have read here are esoteric meaningless B.S. questions.

    asset (65b38c) — 9/23/2020 @ 2:22 pm

    As opposed to attacks framed as questions that are based on ignorant half truths like yours?

    The sad thing is that the bones of a question around the role of free trade and how to deal with US citizens negatively impacted by it were in your silly comment.

    Time123 (ae9d89)

  61. Anyway, Trump could be asked if he agrees with Amy Barret that justices who dramatically change the “balance of power” on the court shouldn’t be confirmed in election years:

    This is a good question if made slightly more broad.

    Time123 (ae9d89)

  62. Hey Joe, Where is Hunter?

    mg (8cbc69)

  63. But it used to be that if the constitution doesn’t grant a power, there is no such power.

    Dana (292df6)

  64. Pouncer has made a number of good suggestions. I’m not sure mine rises to that level.

    It’s becoming clear that climate change will pose a significant challenge to the growing, harvesting, and distribution of food over the coming century. What international mechanisms do you feel are needed to address these challenges? How do you envision U.S. participation in this effort?

    John B Boddie (699c63)

  65. Waldo will be found before Hunter.

    mg (8cbc69)

  66. @64-
    Unfortunately most of those questions should be directed to governors, since elections are run by the states.

    Rip Murdock (d2a2a8)

  67. Chris Wallace: “Mr. Trump… Marla Maples. ‘Best sex ever” or ‘ “the” best sex ever.?”

    Chris Wallace: “Mr. Biden… Barack Obama. ‘cleanest most articulate African-American’ or ‘ “the” cleanest most articulate African American?’

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  68. Mr Boddie says Pouncer has made a number of good suggestions.

    Which raises doubts about his judgement…

    And then he goes on to ask: Climate change will [affect] food over the coming century. How do you envision U.S. participation in this effort?

    And do you think that it’s a good idea to subsidize the conversion of food (corn) into fuel (ethanol gasoline supplements) in an era where fracking has made oil cheaper?

    Is there a better way to use the ethanol? (Drinking it?) Electric fuel cells? Is there a better way to MAKE ethanol — from oil out of the ground and excess CO2 from the air, maybe?

    If China’s Three Gorges Dam fails it will affect that nations energy grid (loss of generator) and food supply (flooding the farms over an area like 5 of our midwestern states). It is potentially a worse case than a nuclear bomb. Is hydropower really as “green” and sustainable as it’s touted?

    Australia and Israel have demonstrated large scale de-salination plants to provide their cities and farms with fresh water from the oceans. Do US cities like Los Angeles need to follow these international examples? If so is there a Federal role for the financing of such systems?

    Does “High Speed Rail” (HSR) do ANYTHING AT ALL to alleviate “climate change”? If the same federal funds were freed up from various HSR projects to another new-tech projects — what project would you make top priority?

    Are rolling blackouts inevitable in a green power (wind and solar) grid?

    Oh, speaking of “new tech” — whatever happened to Net Neutrality? Tell us what the next 4 years should be like for improving consumer experience on the internet — especially in light of all the work-from-home, remote learning, virtual meeting, yadda yadda yadda load on the lines we’ve laid on this year. How does the federal government make it happen? How does the government prevent giant merged telecoms like Verizon and AT&T from “throttling” disfavored users? And how is “throttling” different from biased-censorship?

    Is there any magic wand the federal government can wave to get actual journalists to ask pertinent substantive questions of political candidates and their proposals for policy? Or is focus on personality, sexuality, and ethnicity the only thing our journalists care about?

    pouncer (b0e023)

  69. Chris Wallace: Mr. Biden… Plagiarism is the theft of another person’s creation or work product without permission or annotation. Over your 47 year career you have been caught several times not only plagiarizing but embellishing your credentials for personal and political gain and it forced you to end your 1988 presidential campaign.

    Explain. And you have my permission to ‘take’ as much time as you need to answer.

    ____

    Chris Walace: My last question to both of you. America is country of young, vibrant and energized people. Both of you gentlemen are in your mid to late 70s. So my question is: V!agra, yes or no?

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  70. Mr. Biden, are there any other things that will disqualify a black from being black besides supporting Trump?

    Hoi Polloi (dc4124)

  71. So my question is: V!agra, yes or no?

    The only possible answer to that is: I don’t answer any F–Kin’questions.

    Bored Lawyer (7b72ec)

  72. @70

    Voting Republican. Naturally.

    Bored Lawyer (7b72ec)

  73. Hey Joe, Where is Kamala?

    mg (8cbc69)

  74. Mr. President, In March you said the following:

    And so, if we can hold that down, as we’re saying, to 100,000 — that’s a horrible number — maybe even less, but to 100,000; so we have between 100- and 200,000 — we all, together, have done a very good job.

    Not the total death toll is over 200,000, with new daily cases increasing by 12% and new daily deaths increasing by 31% over the past week, and do you still think you “have done a very good job?”

    Rip Murdock (d2a2a8)

  75. R.I.P. Gale Sayers, 77

    Dementia.

    Damn that money-grubbing sport.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  76. L.A. Times Politics
    @latimespolitics

    Joe Biden’s Pennsylvania hurdle: Voters who fear a California-style energy plan
    __ _

    Stephen L. Miller
    @redsteeze

    It’s a good thing Joe Biden hasn’t given several different answers in the past year on this issue.
    __ _

    victorymonk
    @victorymonk
    ·
    Or as it’s called in LA Times “Biden’s nuanced position”.
    __ _

    I’m not white, I’m a person
    @olsonwithanoh
    ·
    In all fairness, they have to ask Joe every few weeks. The guy can hide his own Easter eggs.

    _

    harkin (d6570a)

  77. Wallace: “Mr. President, a multi-part question…
    Is it true that, after talking with Jewish lawmakers, you said that Jews are only in it for themselves and that they stick together in an ethnic allegiance that exceeds other loyalties?
    Did you tell the First Lady that you could never understand why she would want to go to Africa?
    Your senior advisor, Stephen Miller, has articulated white nationalist views in the past, so why is he still in the White House, advising you on immigration?

    Paul Montagu (4a1ef8)

  78. Mr. Biden, do you stand by your advice that someone should take a shotgun and shoot through the door if threatened?

    Hoi Polloi (dc4124)

  79. You seem to think this is some sort of ‘gotcha’ question that will trip him up. I’d be surprised if he didn’t apologize to anyone he offended with that imaging and then used ‘chains’ as a metaphor for things that need to be improved; chains of poverty, chains or poor education, chains of a criminal justice system that doesn’t servel all communities equally.

    Time123 (ae9d89) — 9/23/2020 @ 2:21 pm

    I think Biden’s been playing politics for a long time, and isn’t really the idiot his critics are hoping for. He will probably have an answer, but his claims Mitt Romney was comparable to slavery is one of many ruthless weaponizations of the hardships of black Americans that I am more than annoyed with. If black lives matter, it’s time to help, not harness the fear. We want blacks to be treated the same, but we also want them to believe they will be treated the same. Biden could have explained his concern about poverty in a way that showed compassion for… well all poor people.

    I know it’s always possible to characterize our former comments, but we all know this was a race hustle. I don’t expect Biden to be blindsided by it. H

    Dustin (4237e0)

  80. In a contingent election, Trump wins, hands down, because *each state gets a single vote*.

    You are making some rash assumptions there. Even about the Senate, as this would dial all the partisanship to 11 squared.

    Several states are close, and we are talking about a situation that was so fracked up that Trump was colluding with legislatures to ignore their state’s popular vote (something I do not think would ever happen as the next election would be terrible for them). No legislature has cast electoral votes directly since before the Civil War.

    But suppose this happens, and the Congress rejects the “falsified” electoral vote (never mind the loss of the popular vote). How crazy would the GOP have to be to monolithically support this nonsense? To get more Trump?

    The Electoral College would not survive. The Republcian Party would probably not survive. The Supreme Court might well rule that, having abandoned the right to choose electors to the People, the states cannot retrieve it. Which it probably will anyway if this atrocious “Compact” comes into play.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  81. Are we doing this thing again?

    Good point, whembly. And it’s The Week, distorting some fever dream speculation by The Atlantic.

    Next they’ll claim he intents to nuke San Francisco, LA and NYC so that his rural voters can carry those states.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  82. He has 50 years worth of quotes from which Trump could cherry pick and use against him, or use to point out his hypocrisy, or flip-flopping.

    That would require planning and preparation, so it’s a non-starter for him.

    What Trump does instead is just make up stuff Biden never really said, and claim he said it.

    Dave (1bb933)

  83. say it aint so,Joe

    It ain’t so, and stop calling me Joe. Breitbart is spinning a nothingburger report into something that it isn’t. The real scandal here are Giuliani and Ron Johnson relying on an “active Russian agent” for their “intel” on Ukraine and the Bidens.

    Paul Montagu (4a1ef8)

  84. Frankly, I just want this confirmation done (assuming it’s ACB and not some crazed campaign gimmick) and then we can all be done with Trump, the only guy who would have trouble beating a dead man.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  85. Next they’ll claim he intents to nuke San Francisco, LA and NYC so that his rural voters can carry those states.

    Yeah, because doesn’t say and do enough completely unhinged stuff for real, we constantly have to invent it.

    Oh, and this was today:

    Asked Wednesday if he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power after the election — win or lose — Trump responded, “Well, we’re going to have to see what happens.”

    Dave (1bb933)

  86. “ What Trump does instead is just make up stuff Biden never really said, and claim he said”
    __ _

    Biden says a lot of stuff that he didn’t say first.

    That’s why he’s Plagiarism Joe.
    _

    “ He’s even been caught lying to voters about his academic record. Biden acknowledged that he had plagiarized during his time at Syracuse University Law School. The law school had him repeat a first-year class, after initially flunking him, for copying at least five pages from a published law review article.

    Thirty-three years is a long time ago. The problem is that Joe Biden has never really stopped. In 2008, then-Sen. Biden copied an entire paragraph from a Time magazine story on then-newly elected President Lee Myung-Bak of South Korea and used it for a speech, without attribution. Biden had the stolen language read into an official congressional resolution in February 2008.

    His problem with copying the work of others is so widespread that a 2019 incident, in which the Biden campaign released a climate plan using exactly the same language as outside left-wing groups, without attribution, barely made news.”

    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/joe-bidens-plagiarism-problem/ar-BB176DBc
    _

    harkin (b55be8)

  87. I’m wondering if there isn’t some kind of connection between the US being such a great country and the poor quality of our political class. I’m willing to entertain theories, if only to be Panglossian . . . . anyone? . . . . .anyone? . . . .

    Marc (586943)

  88. Biden has always been a terrific debater. He has such an easy way with BS, and making you think it’s wisdom, that much more knowledgeable people (e.g. Paul Ryan), or other good speakers (Sarah Palin) were unable to get any traction.

    OTOH, Trump is a terrible debater, at least if you have a 3 digit IQ. What he has is bombast and squirrels. He’s like a 3rd rank talk-show host, the ones the angry incels call at 3AM to rant about women or blacks. His tweets are much saner than his debates.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  89. Yeah, I saw that (#87) today. I’d be interested to see what that sentence was embedded into (because I do not trust media reports from the I Hate Trump Watch), but it would seem he could have handled that loads better.

    Have I mentioned that he is not my first (or even last) choice as GOP nominee? The combined worst aspects of Rick Santorum, John Kasich and Tom Tancredo would be a better choice.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  90. But strangely, not anyone on a ticket with Kamala Harris, who WOULD make the trains run on time.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  91. @93. She’s turning into quite the dud.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  92. In 2008, then-Sen. Biden copied an entire paragraph from a Time magazine story

    … whereas Donald Trump had fake issues of Time printed, with his picture on the cover, and hung them on the walls of all his clubs as if they were genuine.

    That has never bothered you in the slightest though, has it?

    Dave (1bb933)

  93. “What Trump does instead is just make up stuff Biden never really said, and claim he said”

    Biden tends to just make up stuff and say it, and he does it in a way that unless you absolutely KNOW, you think it might actually be.

    Luckily for Trump he doesn’t care it Biden is making up stuff or not, because he’ll just call him a Communist America-hater or something.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  94. That has never bothered you in the slightest though, has it?

    Well, strangely, I won’t call it “intellectual dishonesty.”

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  95. She’s turning into quite the dud.

    As she did in March.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  96. Wallace: Mr. President, in last Wednesday’s press conference, you refused to commit to a peaceful transition of power. If the vote in the Electoral College is not close, say Biden gets over 300 electoral votes, will you concede the election forthwith and, if not, why? As a follow-up, if you’re accusing the existence of voting fraud, what is your evidence?

    Paul Montagu (4a1ef8)

  97. Chris Wallace: Mr. Biden, isn’t it reverse discrimination to eliminate not only men, but white, black and brown men, not just from your from your short list of VEEP names but your SCOTUS list as well?

    And doesn’t this pattern telegraph to adversaries like Russia and competitors like China a habit of removing options from your decision-making table?

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  98. Yeah, because doesn’t say and do enough completely unhinged stuff for real, we constantly have to invent it.

    Anyone who thinks that state legislators are going to go to the wall for Trump, and ignore their state’s presidential election, will get to try to ignore the next one.

    Before they get turfed out of office though, they may find their state courts asserting that their state Constitution applies, or that having accepted the state popular vote to choose electors for almost 200 years, they can’t take it back now without PROVING the count was corrupt.

    If they get past that hurdle, they have the US Congress and the US Supreme Court to stand aside, and probably an armed insurrection or two.

    And then they still get tossed out on their ears, along with their who party, at the next election which will come soonest in states with the Recall.

    So, it’s about as likely as nuking places.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  99. Mr. Biden, why did you steal DCSCA’s lunch money and give him a noogie all those decades ago?

    Leviticus (fb8982)

  100. As for voting fraud in CA, I suggested a reasonable test. Imperial County is small, heavily agricultural, and heavily Hispanic — not all of whom are citizens. You coold probably do a fair audit of their 2016 or 2018 election in a week or two, and sampling voters signatures, registrations and citizenship information would give an easy test of all those fraud claims.

    Nobody seems to want actual testable facts, though.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  101. @102. “Here’s the deal: Corn Pop was hungry, man!”

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  102. The next group of Republican legislators to stand up to Trump will be the first.

    And it could only take one or two states to steal the election.

    Dave (1bb933)

  103. President Trump: “What are the proper terms for residents of China, Japan, Nigeria, Mexico and Italy?”

    Vice-President Biden: “Hop on one foot five times.”

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  104. And it could only take one or two states to steal the election.

    Except, barring clear fraud (e.g. Chicago 1960 or any LBJ Senate election), it wouldn’t be tolerated by ME, and 70% of the people are less likely than me to tolerate it.

    Question: Suppose in 2016, several states had flipped enough electoral votes to give Hillary the win, citing the need to honor the national popular vote. In essence, act out the Compact mechanism. Would you think that insane? Do you think that Congtess or the Courts would have had issues?

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  105. It’s also a bit odd how the press assumes that they would roll over if Trump tried to act out their fever dreams. Note that we have the same fever dreams for the press or Democrats (birm) every four years. Some said that Romney, McCain or W were going to steal it, too.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  106. Debate question for Trump:

    Mr. President, would you accept assistance from the Russian military if were necessary to preserve order and ensure a fair outcome after the election?

    Dave (1bb933)

  107. Most of the posts here consist of snark and gotcha questions (or counter-snark and counter-gotcha). Even on what is a blog of mostly intelligent, well-educated posters, our political discourse has taken a nose-dive.

    Bored Lawyer (7b72ec)

  108. @110, yes. I’m afraid you’re right…and I know I’m guilty of it as well.

    Time123 (b87ded)

  109. “The next group of Democrats to stand up to the rioters/looters/arsonists will be the first.“
    __

    fyp
    _

    harkin (d6570a)

  110. OK, for Mr Lawyer:

    VP Biden: You and your party have signed on to something called “The New Green Deal.” It calls, among other things, for a national mobilization against climate change, involving many changes to how we live and work. How does this plan fit into a Constitutional framework of limited government?

    President Trump: Many Americans are concerned about ongoing climate change. What, if anything, do you think the federal government should do to limit or control this process?

    Followup: Even if you are unconvinced that climate change is happening, or that it is mostly due to human activity, what would you do if you became convinced it was?

    ========

    VP Biden: Your party has sharply criticized the Republicans for the way they are handling the open Supreme Court seat. Is this based on historical practice, or on their apparent hypocrisy in 2016?

    President Trump: How do you respond to critics who cite numerous Republican comments in 2016 about “not filling a Supreme Court seat in an election year” and how the GOP seems to have suddenly forgotten that whole argument this year? Isn’t hypocrisy like this harmful to trust in government?

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  111. I find that it is hard to write questions for these two that AREN’T “gotchas” since their level of, um, concentration seems limited.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  112. VP Biden: You and your party have signed on to something called “The New Green Deal.” It calls, among other things, for a national mobilization against climate change, involving many changes to how we live and work. How does this plan fit into a Constitutional framework of limited government?

    great question!!!

    VP Biden: Your party has sharply criticized the Republicans for the way they are handling the open Supreme Court seat. Is this based on historical practice, or on their apparent hypocrisy in 2016?

    For it to be a legitimate question it can’t presume something negative about the respondent.

    I thought you knew that. Are you day drinking again or have you just become as dumb as a gorilla? (that’s a joke BTW)

    President Trump: How do you respond to critics who cite numerous Republican comments in 2016 about “not filling a Supreme Court seat in an election year” and how the GOP seems to have suddenly forgotten that whole argument this year? Isn’t hypocrisy like this harmful to trust in government?

    This is a decent question. I would add, “In situations like this do you feel there a need to respect the rights of the minority in some way by trying to reach a deal? If so what deal would you offer them?” That would work for Biden also and box him in for the future.

    If the ask is “don’t appoint a judge” it’s a huge one. Unreasonable really. Their needs to be some smaller ask; a moderate judge, or an older judge, or some more liberal judges to a lower court. Or something like that.

    Time123 (53ef45)

  113. Their needs to be some smaller ask

    A more reasonable ask would be: Let us in the Senate, on both sides, agree not to obstruct appointments by abusing process for petty reasons and restore the filibuster on appiontments of senior officials and appellate courts. Right after we get this judge confirmed.

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  114. @113

    OK, for Mr Lawyer:

    That’s Mr. Lawyer, Esq.

    But as we are all friends here, you can just call me Bored.

    Bored Lawyer (7b72ec)

  115. VP Biden: You and your party have signed on to something called “The New Green Deal.” It calls, among other things, for a national mobilization against climate change, involving many changes to how we live and work. How does this plan fit into a Constitutional framework of limited government?

    Well, since the Supreme Court has held that the federal government can tell a farmer not to grow food on his own farm to feed his own family, Wickard v. Filburn, 317 U.S. 111 (1942), and that has never been overturned, there really are no limits any more, apart from what is politically palatable.

    Bored Lawyer (7b72ec)

  116. Kevin says: I find that it is hard to write questions for these two that AREN’T “gotchas” since their level of, um, concentration seems limited.

    Okay, imagine you’ve got a dream team — says Elizabeth Warren versus Scott Walker; or Tulsi Gabbard vs Ted Cruz. Whatever floats your boat.

    NOW, ask your best questions based on party philosophy, platforms, history, etc. Republicans want to putter around fixing pot holes and re-painting stripes for the parking lots — the Democrats want to build sky-trams and bike paths.

    Why vote for YOU, Party Candidate Whoever? What do you and your party plan to accomplish in the next four years, eight, next decade? What’s your fear, what’s your dream, what’s the line in the sand you will not cross, what is so important you’d obliterate all prior work to get done?

    In summer of 2001, Mickey Kaus worried that GW Bush had run out of ideas. He’d rammed through a Tax Cut favored by the GOP. He’d done a deal with Ted Kennedy to federally fund local schools in exchange for high-stakes assessment testing – NCLB. And then he was flailing. Kaus predicted the next “big” thing would be working on the power-transformer-brick things that convert AC wall current to low volt/low amp DC for phones, PCs, etc. Save energy! Then came Sept 11, and … well, we still have bricks in the wall … sockets.

    Assume the party, if not the candidate, has ten or twelve ideas to work on. (Hopeful assumption.) ASK! What are your top ten items? Which of these is your priority? Which would you negotiate — triangulate, to use Clinton’s expression– away, in order to get something else, something better?

    Would you surrender Abortion Rights legislation to win on the Green New Deal?

    Would you flip flop to advocate buy backs on Assault Rifles in exchange for “Funding the Wall”?

    Ask as if you were a well-informed, concerned, voter. NOT as if you were a journalist…

    pouncer (b0e023)

  117. Kaus predicted the next “big” thing would be working on the power-transformer-brick things that convert AC wall current to low volt/low amp DC for phones, PCs, etc. Save energy!

    Which just goes to show how silly political operatives can be.

    With or without 9/11, can anyone seriously believe that “power-transformer-brick things that convert AC wall current” would be a major political issue?

    I mean, I can just see Al Sharpton leading a protest:

    No power-transformer-brick things that convert AC wall current, No Peace.

    Bored Lawyer (7b72ec)

  118. there really are no limits any more, apart from what is politically palatable.

    Which is why an incompetent buffoon is better than a steely-eyed commissar. (Harris, not the beard Biden)

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  119. Present Trump: The Democrats say you are unfit for office. How do you respond?

    VP Biden: The Republicans say that your whole party is unfit for office. How do you respond?

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  120. *President

    Kevin M (ab1c11)

  121. 22. Dave (1bb933) — 9/23/2020 @ 12:35 pm

    The best part, and my second style tip for Biden: Quotes. Use Trump’s own words against him during the debate. Quote him liberally. In Trump’s fun house world, there’s always a tweet or previous statement where he contradicts himself. After all, as he can remind Trump, “Those aren’t my words. Those words were spoken by YOU.”

    Two problems with that:

    First, a candidate can’t bring in notes, and he couldn’t remember the quotes. Second, some of the quotes will be made up lies or distortions of what was said (like the one about “alternative facts’ Kellyanne Conway didn’t mean false factoids. She meant alternative things to talk about. Or like Trump disparaging Ammerican soldiers who died in France in World War I.)

    Biden couldn’t even if he wanted to, even count on his debate preppers to eliminate anything false or doubtful since too many have probably drunk their own Kool Aid.

    Also, true or false, Trump is likely to deny saying whatever he’s quoted on so if it is be used, he must give a citation.

    Sammy Finkelman (2cb3c3)

  122. If these last few days have proven anything, it’s that serious question about the integrity of the election should be moved to the top of the list.

    Gawain's Ghost (b25cd1)

  123. Oh, and there’s more.

    https://hotair.com/archives/allahpundit/2020/09/25/happened-yesterday-nine-missing-military-ballots-pennsylvania/

    Over half a million absentee or mail-in ballots were discounted in the 2018 primaries. Reasons for that vary: the ballots weren’t filled out properly or were illegible, or the signatures didn’t match with those in the county records, etc..

    In this case though, it appears that what happened was the clerks opened these envelopes, thinking they were requests for absentee ballots and inside found ballots themselves. That made them “naked” ballots, which by law had to be discarded.

    The error here is not clerical. The clerks were following procedure. The error was made by the persons submitting the ballots. The didn’t enclose them in a secrecy envelope.

    With mail-in voting, there is a process that must be strictly adhered to, if you want your vote to be counted. You receive a ballot, fill it out properly and sign it, then put it in the secrecy envelope. The reason for that is because voting is a private matter. You then place the secrecy envelope in the delivery envelope and mail it. Failure to follow this process discounts your vote.

    Here’s the kicker. It was Republicans in Pennsylvania and the Trump campaign that mandated naked ballots be discounted! And now they’re complaining about it? All because supposedly 7 of the 9 ballots were for Trump.

    The disgrace here is that the votes on the discarded ballots should never have been revealed in the first place. Instead, AG Barr rushed to Trump and announced an investigation, which is a clear violation of DOJ policy, and an obvious indication of subservience to Trump. Now, he has fodder to argue that mail-in voting is rigged against him, that ballots should be thrown out (except those that were for him), and that he should be declared President for Life, or King, depending on how you look at it. And Putin smiled, indeed. He’s got the perfect patsy in the White House.

    7, seven, mail-in votes were discounted, because they were not submitted properly. Out of 500,000? And this is purportedly supposed the expose some sort of deep state conspiracy against Trump.

    No, it’s election officials following procedure and the law.

    The hypocrisy and corruption that runs through this Administration, and along with it the entire GOP, is startling, mind-boggling. It’s all the more reason to vote against every so-called Republican, because they are not Republicans or conservatives, or Christians for that matter. This party needs to be cleansed. Otherwise, it is inviable.

    Gawain's Ghost (b25cd1)

  124. The error here is not clerical. The clerks were following procedure. The error was made by the persons submitting the ballots. The didn’t enclose them in a secrecy envelope.

    Now do hanging chads.

    beer ‘n pretzels (4dedc3)

  125. In regards to election integrity, shouldn’t cybersecurity be a large part of the discussion? Along this line, there should be some serious questions about the utterly corrupt Tik Tok deal that Trump negotiated to benefit a major supporter, the owner of Oracle.

    https://outline.com/DVyzE4

    Gawain's Ghost (b25cd1)

  126. Of course, Biden should be asked the question if, Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed, and a Democratic Congress, bolishing the legislative filibuster along the way, sends him a bill expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court, also known as “packing” the court, would he sign it?

    AND

    If he would sign such a bill, is there a limit to the number of justices he would be willing to add beyond which he would not go, and if so what?

    In other words, would he only add two, restoring the balance on the Supreme Court to what it was before Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg died (a majority of one in favor of the conservative justices, what it would +have been had he been able to fill the current vacancy in the 9th seat out of nine.)

    Or would he be willing to go for more and add 4 or 6, let’s say.

    In a nationally televised debate he won’t be able to get away with something like this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgC_kq3VaeA

    https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2020/09/22/joe_biden_doesnt_rule_out_packing_supreme_court_adding_more_seats.html

    “It’s a legitimate question, but let me tell you why I’m not going to answer that question. Because..it will shift the whole focus – that’s what he wants. He never wants to talk about the issue at hand. He always tries to change the subject. Bu- let’s say I answer that question, then the whole debate’s going to be about what Biden said or didn’t say, Biden said he would or wouldn’t. The discussion should be about why he is moving in a direction that’s totally inconsistent with what founders wanted. The Constitution says voters get to pick a president who gets to make the pick and the senate gets to decide. We’re in the middle of the election right now, you know people are voting now. By the time this Supreme Court hearing would be held, if they hold one, it’s estimated 30 to 40% of American people already have voted. It is a fundamental breach of constitutional principle. It must stay on that and it shouldn’t happen.”

    Admittedly this was in the context of wanting to talk about whether Trump should fill the seat.

    Sammy Finkelman (4eddd7)

  127. You could add ask Trump why he supports lawsuits to get a result he does not want, that are legally questionable in the first place.

    Sammy Finkelman (4eddd7)


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