Another Weird Week in American Politics – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - October 11, 2020
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Well, it’s been another week of twists and turns and interesting political and campaign developments. There was not one clear theme this week, but more of a “pot-luck” on politics. Let’s skip around the buffet table and “brunch” on that this week!
“The Debate, Debate!” – We were supposed to have another presidential debate from Miami on Thursday, October 15. It isn’t going to happen. First, it was not withing in the prescribed 14-day quarantine recommended for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 (though at 13 days it was close). But I get why the Biden campaign, the debate staff and moderators were concerned about being in a room, in close quarters, with a COVID-19 positive President Trump. When the debate commission offered to hold a virtual Zoom debate, the president declined, and the debate was scuttled.
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“Trump’s Temper” – I am pondering whether the president has made a critical mistake. Yes, he’s the incumbent, but he’s also the underdog in this race. He is behind Democrat Joe Biden in every credible national poll. Debates offer the opportunity for the underdog to be aggressive and combative. They can attack without mercy, since they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. This is so advantageous to Trump, and while some find it rude and abrasive, his “Bull in the China Shop” routine is one of the main reasons he won in 2016. Why pass up the opportunity? Plus, the debate was to be in Florida, which Trump MUST win again. There is no path to a second term without it.
“Debate Tactics” – One of the possible goals of a virtual debate is to “muzzle” Trump. I get that. Someone controls the kill switch on his mic, and so he can’t talk over and shout down Biden, as he did in the first debate. But they give the candidates equal time, and equal response time on each question. So, in his guaranteed time, that’s where Trump can try to bister Biden if he wishes. In fairness, Biden’s mic must be clipped, too, so he can’t talk over to interrupt the president. Granted, this could get stilted and boring without the spontaneous combustion, but I think it’s better than no debate at all. The two combatants still have an October 22 debate scheduled in Nashville.
“What History Tells Us” – The 2020 campaign is the 11th presidential campaign I’ve covered. My first was 1980 featuring President Jimmy Carter and Governor Ronald Reagan. I have written extensively why 2020 is so much like 1980: https://patch.com/us/white-house/what-1980-election-says-2020. I include the link for your review. But when it comes to debates in 1980, the commission offered three, and a reluctant, vulnerable incumbent Jimmy Carter only agreed to one. Like Trump, Carter could have used the debate stage to be an underdog attack machine. He passed and the rest is history. I wonder if Trump will have a similar regret.
“Oh, By the Way, there was a VP Debate!” – There’s no need to dissect and critique the Vice-Presidential debate this week between Republican VP Mike Pence, and Senator Kamala Harris, (D) California. The number one rule of debates, (as with medicine), is, “First do no harm!” Neither Pence, nor Harris had a knock-out punch! Nor did either make a major gaffe. Both are competent, long-time officeholders. The big questions with Biden at age 77, and Trump at 74, is could Pence or Harris step in and be an effective president? I believe the answer is a clear yes, regardless of whatever partisan agenda they may try to achieve. They are ready.
“What Have You Done for Me Lately?” – With slightly more than three weeks until Election Day, I am stunned that another COVID-19 aid program and stimulus package will apparently not be passed before November 3rd. Politicians loves to give stuff away in election season, and this especially favors incumbents in both parties. They gave every adult Americans $1,200 and most kids $500.That’s gold at reelection time. But Democrats who whittled their package from $3 trillion to about $1.6 trillion faced off against the Republican party which first suggested $1 trillion, only to pare it to $500 million in the Senate. My point is, “nobody got nuthin’” and I think there could be a backlash at the polls. No checks, do not favor incumbents!
“A House Divided” – Some of the most disappointed in the lack of another COVID-19 are the nation’s governors. When President Trump announced this week, he was suspending talks with Democrats until after the election, no one was more disappointed that Trump’s dear friend and ally, Governor Jim Justice, (R) West Virginia. “Our president tweeted out the other day. He said he’s going to postpone this until after the election. I don’t want him to do that. And I do not think that’s the thing to do… And so, from the standpoint of postponing it, terrible. I just think that’s not good,” said Governor Justice. To be fair, Justice was more complaining about the dysfunction of Democrats and Republicans in Washington to forge a deal, than he was criticizing his pal President Trump.
What are your thoughts about passing another COVID-19 stimulus plan? Should it be before or after the elections? Just click the comment button to let us know!
Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is the Chief Political Reporter for the six Nexstar Media Stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states, and most of the Washington, DC media market. He is a MINDSETTER columnist for www.GoLocalProv.com.
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