In the midst of all of the unsolicited advice to Joe Biden RE: a "secret weapon" for the debate...

[Miles Archer]

...I haven't seen much discussion of the one I think would rattle Trump the most, smile at him like he's a simple child.

I've shared this before on DU, but we went through holy terrors when my girlfriend's adult son...aged 40...lived here for 7 months with his girlfriend and her 5 year old child.

He's a bully, just like Trump. The difference is that he fueled his bullying with a case of Bud Light a day and the occasional Oxy and Jack Daniels.

The girlfriend provided some insight in a candid moment...he always seeks out the most hurtful thing to say because he wants to "land a body blow."

And once you realize it's the bully's motivation, you can smile and say "IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT?"

Which is what I think Joe will do...he's seen and heard too many attacks from Trump in public, I don't think Trump's going to have any new material, let Trump come at him with his "best / worst," smile at him like he's a simple child, and then lay out his plan for wiping away the stench of Trump and getting America back to its pre-Trump dignity.

[JI7]

1. I was thinking something like a small head shake with a look of amusement

and then a blow off by dismissing what he just and then just talking about what Biden himself would do as President. That's probably similar to what you are suggesting.

But the overall thing is to treat him like a joke and be dismissive of him.

[C_U_L8R]

2. Whatever, Donald

Yes. Brush him off as inconsequential. But also hold his feet to the fire for all his lies and fuckups.

[DemUnleashed]

3. How about...

How about if Trump says something childish like name calling, Biden should say "What...are we back in junior high??"

[PCIntern]

4. Pete Rose used to do that to umpires...

If the umpire called a strike and Rose thought it was Ball, he would just turn around and smile at the umpire. Not a word out of his mouth. I believe it was very effective and gave Rose the edge on close calls.

[pfitz59]

5. Biden needs to keep his answers short and on point. Answer the question

and not wander off into anecdotes. Let Trump be the evader and bull-shitter...