Trump’s debate performance should be disqualifying. He offered no answers, no policy proposals, and not even the tiniest hint of empathy when asked questions about child care, the opiate epidemic, healthcare, or any other issue. The MAGA cult will remain faithful. He lied over and over and over - directly to the American people. Obvious lies. The MAGA cult will remain faithful. Trump had a couple of strong moments but overall was a bizarre and incoherent narcissist. The MAGA cult will remain faithful. Trump, in one of his few direct answers to a question, said he will not block access to abortion medications… From the CNN debate transcript:
BASH: As president, would you block abortion medication?
TRUMP: First of all, the Supreme Court just approved the abortion pill. And I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it.
The MAGA cult will remain faithful. In 2023, 63% of US abortions were medication abortions. By “pro-life” logic, that means Donald trump will allow about 650,000 “babies” to be “murdered” every year. But the “pro-life” MAGA cult members will remain faithful. Not to their supposed values, not to those “unborn babies,” but to dear leader Donald Trump. Their devotion to a man above all else is unbelievable and frightening.
I am extremely sad to say that Biden’s debate performance was disqualifying. We have to remember that we on Daily Kos are by definition high information voters. We know a lot about current events and politics. Most of the 51 million people watching that debate are more typical voters; much less informed. When we heard Biden’s response to the abortion question, we could fill in the gaps and make some sense of his answer. But as Kos has pointed out, a poll for The New York Times found that 17% of voters blamed Biden for the loss of federal abortion rights. And when those lower information voters heard this response, it did nothing to help Biden’s campaign or promote the pro-choice cause. From the CNN debate transcript:
BASH: President Biden?
BIDEN: It’s been a terrible thing, what you’ve done.
The fact is that the vast majority of constitutional scholars supported Roe when it was decided, supported Roe. And that was – that’s – this idea that they were all against it is just ridiculous.
And this is the guy who says the states should be able to have it. We’re (ph) in a state where in six weeks, you don’t even know whether you’re pregnant or not, but you cannot see the doctor or have your – and have him decide on what your circumstances are, whether you need help.
The idea that states are able to do this is a little like saying, we’re going to turn civil rights back to the states. Let each state have a different rule.
Look, there’s so many young women who have been – including a young woman who just was murdered and he – he went to the funeral. The idea that she was murdered by a – by –by an immigrant coming in, and they talk about that. But here’s the deal, there’s a lot of young women who are being raped by their – by their in-laws, by their – by their spouses, brothers and sisters, by – just – it’s just – it’s just ridiculous. And they can do nothing about it.
And they tried to arrest them when they cross state lines.
Joe Biden was an excellent president. He has perhaps the best and brightest and most stable and most diverse cabinet in history. His policy has been great. But for the next 4 months those things matter much less than his ability to lead on and communicate our arguments on the most fundamental issues our nation faces. Most high school debate class students could have made it very clear to voters what the stakes are on choice in this election. Maybe something like (turn to the camera and directly address the American people) “Let me be clear, Donald Trump took away the fundamental rights of American women. He brags about overturning Roe vs Wade, and now millions of women have lost their rights. Are we going to allow Donald Trump and other Republican politicians in their infinite wisdom to force a woman or girl to give birth against her will? Hell no. Are we going to vote for leaders like myself and other Democrats that respect the infinitely complicated situations pregnant women find themselves in and will defend their dignity and right to choose? Hell yes.”
Democrats are loyal to ideas and values not a person. We are not like the MAGA cult. This debate was not just a bad performance or a cold. It was proof positive that Joe Biden cannot be the standard bearer for us on the most critical issues in the most critical campaign. The American people are clearly asking for another choice. Both Trump and Biden are highly disapproved of and that will only get worse as the clips from this debate circulate. The MAGA cult won’t let their dear leader go and give the people another choice. They won’t put their values or their country above their candidate. Will we?
In my opinion Joe Biden should step aside and Kamala Harris should remain the VP candidate to allow a smoother transition in the campaign. We can genuinely thank him for his service and go about picking a new nominee that gives our issues and values the best voice and the best chance of victory.