CNN post debate analysis starts off with John King describes “panic” among Democrats over his debate performance.
Trump closes sounding like he’s selling reverse mortgages to gullible seniors. Biden closes sounding like he’s one of Trump’s marks.
Right-to-try is good policy, but that was a wild tangent from Trump.
Nearly the last thing Biden talks about, in his closing remarks: lead pipes. Full circle to talking about Agent Orange early on. The Eighties called, and they’re ready for you to leave the Seventies, Joe.
I think Trump speaks for everyone watching when he says, “we’re living in hell.”
Biden: “Does anyone think the tax system is fair?” Then warns that Trump wants to change the tax system, which Biden pledges to resist.
Now stammering his way through multiple malfunctions.
The first big moderation mistake of the night comes from Dana Bash, when she promises the audience at 10:30pm EST, after a full 90 minutes have run, that “we’ll be back with more.” Throw the towel, please.
Why is Dana Bash threatening us with more? It’s 10:31 by my watch!
I thought tonight’s debate would be unenlightening. I was wrong. It was indeed extremely enlightening, and in fact in the one way I feared it might be — an absolutely disastrous performance by President Biden.
I still don’t know how plausible the idea of replacing him at the top of the ticket is (it is late, very late). But the only story tomorrow in Democratic land will be “is it too late?”
I like Trump’s emphasis on the tragedy of the war in Ukraine. And it is politically canny to point out that Russia challenged borders under 3 of the last 4 presidents, Trump being the exception.