Mics will be cut at debates moving forward per CBS

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

Tweet text: Brian Tyler Cohen
@briantylercohen
NEW: Mics will be cut off for those who violate the rules at subsequent presidential debates, among other changes that will be imposed moving forward, per @CBSNews.

[CatWoman]

1. K; R

[H2O Man]

23. +1.

I'd also recommend a stun-gun.

[Sedona]

30. Cattle prod?

[H2O Man]

50. Better yet!

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

155. Doggie shock collar is most effective.

When his yelling reaches a certain threshold set by moderator, he'll get a huge shock to his neck.

[sarcasmo]

121. Shock buzzer podium.

[wcollar]

153. Cheers

Anybody else remember the Cheers episode where Cliff wore a shock collar in an effort to train himself to be less
annoying

"Dance mailman, dance" becomes "Dance Donald, dance"

[sarcasmo]

158. Yeah. That's one we need for the debates.

[CatWoman]

44. LOL!!!!

[Meowmee]

62. 😹

[Klaralven]

81. Jack Hanna for assistant moderator with a tranquilizer gun

[steventh]

156. Thanks for the laugh.

The mental picture of that made me laugh out loud. I needed that.

[SammyWinstonJack]

99. Don't be so nice to that clown. Isn't that what he says...

[DonaldsRump]

2. Trump is TOAST!

Without his obnoxious tactics, he's finished in these debates.

On edit: Trump has disgraced the debates and the US internationally. Thank the good heavens SOMEONE is standing up to this sucky loser. He has only himself, his spoiled background, and his substance addiction to blame for this.

They should also add the accordion music to the wild gesticulations of the person whose mic is cut off, which of course will not be Joe:

[TheBlackAdder]

21. He'll probably overapply his foundation again. Perhaps he needs to hit the Prescriptives counter.

.

He needs to get one of those ladies at the Macy's Prescriptives counter to teach him how to apply makeup.



.

[Laha]

32. Yes!

That is so funny! Thanks for the laugh.

[colorado_ufo]

51. Hilarious!!!

[leftieNanner]

76. OMG Too Funny!

I didn't even hear what he was saying. The hands and the accordion were hysterical.

Thanks for the crying laughing! I needed that.

[homegirl]

152. I am going to

treat myself to a double serving of popcorn. Can't wait to see madman Trump whining, pouting, gesticulating and grimacing without sound!!! Will be all over the net in 15 minutes.

[tblue37]

3. Trump will say they mean to censor him, and he will refuse to debate under those conditions.

[fleur-de-lisa]

6. I'm okay with that. He'll look like a coward.

[Midnight Writer]

15. That's what I expect. Cry, play victim, cross his arms and scowl, then refuse to debate.

Like a child with greens on his plate.

[ailsagirl]

100. We can always hope

[Blue_playwright]

150. Ditto.

I expect him to start the “fake news media” bullshit in 3-2-1...

[ooky]

16. Agree that he will try, and normally, he

would do just that. If Trump can't talk over his opponents and drown them out then he will not want to participate.

Unfortunately that's no longer an option for Trump because he's the one who needs the debate.

I'm sure that Joe would be extremely happy if Trump bailed.

[lindysalsagal]

39. An lose the opportunity to spew hate? Not likely. He thinks he's right.

He always thinks he's right.

[smb]

128. If He Doesn't Show Up, Put Up A Cardboard Standee At His Podium...

...and let Biden answer the questions without his noxious presence distracting people from the issues.

[DENVERPOPS]

146. Absolutely, Tru Blue

He cannot do anything that isn't rigged in his favor. Trump, and the entire RepubliCON party can not do a SINGLE THING that isn't rigged in their favor. Their corruption is the only thing they have left in their LIFETIME bag of illicit tricks.........

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if when they cut power to his microphone he pulled out a megaphone from his podium and started shouting Fraud, Unfair, Corrupt Debate, etc etc etc. His crowd and other RepubliCON Politicians would laugh their asses off and eat it up at his solving the problem of no microphone.......

In case anyone hasn't figured it out, NOTHING, AND I MEAN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, is too low for these Nuevo RepubliCONs who have hijacked the Republican party. They have reached the point of going way past DESPICABLE........

We have 30 or so days until the election, the election, and what happens after the election, to witness a level of depravity by them, never seen on this planet..........

[chriscan64]

4. Mic cut should be the rule going in.

Why go through the formality of waiting for Trump to break the rule, (1 minute in)?

[cbdo2007]

5. ....and THIS is what Trump will use to back out, saying he is being treated unfairly.

But I think Joe should continue on no matter what.

[fleur-de-lisa]

7. Yes. Free prime-time media coverage for Joe.

[questionseverything]

25. Exactly

[Lonestarblue]

38. Joe could do what residents in my district did a couple of years ago.

They held a town hall, and our Congressional rep (Republican of course) refused to appear. They used a full-size cardboard image of him at the town hall and his opponent answered questions and also talked about her opponent’s policies, and he was not there to defend himself. Biden could do the same and even have audio of Trump making a fool of himself with his crazy claims. I doubt the Debate Commission would approve!

[MFGsunny]

78. This! n/t

[Cha]

8. Wow if this actually happens! So many

posts last night saying "nothing could be changed to contain trump"

Brian Tyler Cohen has quite a few Followers.

[marlakay]

9. He will just yell and scream louder

Which at the town hall one will make him look even worse.

[ProfessorGAC]

19. When The Enemy Is Drinking...

...gasoline & playing with a lighter, don't stop him.
He tries to yell over the dead mike, and the criticism from last night will seem like effusive praise.
Proceed, Donnie-boy.

[Richard D]

74. Probably

Walk across the stage and start yelling into Joe's mic.

[marlakay]

75. I wouldn't put it past him

Saying scared old man i will give you covid? Trump is suck a f'd up worthless being.

[NCjack]

138. Yes. And, unless at least one of Mr. Trump's feet is nailed to the floor, he will walk

over to Joe, mug him, take his mic, and spew his hate message.

Mr. Trump is sending messages to his criminal gangs to show up and disrupt the polls. He must not be given any public platforms. The debates must be cancelled.

[Siwsan]

10. I suggest having some water balloons on hand, as a supplemental deterrent

[Cha]

14. Lol!

Love the image

[lindysalsagal]

41. Remember the Gong Show? How about a live bagpiper who starts when they're 5 seconds over....

[Siwsan]

53. But could people tell the difference between a bagpipe, and trump*'s squawking?

Could cause confusion.

[sdfernando]

69. Well one is a horrendously vile

attack on the human auditory nerves...

The other is worse....being a tangeranous with no sense, no brains, and sphincter muscle for a mouth.

[ChazInAz]

134. I prefer the bagpipe.

[jmowreader]

64. They could borrow Miss Sweetie Poo from the Ig Nobel crew

At the Ig Nobel Awards (a scientific parody show, hosted by people who have won the Nobel Prize), Miss Sweetie Poo stands there and screams "please stop, I'm bored" if speeches go on too long.

Or, they could take the suggestion of many DUers and make Samuel L. Jackson the moderator of the next debate. "Motherfucker, I told you to shut your got-damn mouth."

[lindysalsagal]

72. Screw that. Make Samuel A Jackson the POTUS!

[catchnrelease]

86. I like Patton Oswalt's suggestion

He said the next moderator should be John Wick.

[Dem2theMax]

49. Cans of soup?

But water balloons are so much fun!

[Wednesdays]

104. Tuna

Bumblebee Tuna.

[Dem2theMax]

116. How could I forget the tuna?

There's so much to keep track of, my brain is full!

[forgotmylogin]

65. "Maggie! Bring the hose!"

[treestar]

82. This might work, as it could damage his carefully designed hair

In fact, a rain machine! Remember he did not go to a ceremony in Europe because of rain.

[mn9driver]

11. Trump seems unlikely to put up with that. Of course if his main object is to throw Biden off,

then just yelling across the stage might actually be more effective. If the TV audience can’t hear it, but Biden can, it could be a problem.

[MagickMuffin]

12. What a disgrace that it has come to this!

But he is a DISGRACE and he is too insecure to contain himself.

[honest.abe]

13. This will be Trump's excuse to back out of the remaining debates.

The Trump campaign knows he lost ground last night. Plus the fact Trump is being humiliated by the most of the media around the world due to his lunatic performance last night. He cant stand that.

[Cha]

18. Good.. the Psycho will look like the Coward he is.

But I don't think he will.. trump is too much of a narcissist to miss some prime time tv time.

[GopherGal]

120. I had the same thought...

That the change in rules would be his chance to take his marbles (if he has any) and go home.

But, his polling situation being what it is, he's the candidate who needs a game-changing event, so he needs the debates more than Biden does. Last night will certainly have lowered Cheato's expectations for any future debates, so further debates may look more favorable to him.

[Cha]

122. Yes, & there's an article in LBN that

trump claims.. he won & he will continue the debates.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2592847

Side note.. trump sent his fans a tweet Before the Debate that said he WON.

Link to tweet

Psycho is crawling deeper & deeper into his own dark fantasy Hole

[Binkie The Clown]

17. Not good enough. If he breaks the rules he should be sent to his room without dinner.

Tell him he needs a time out to think about what he has done.

[ProfessorGAC]

20. Without His Phone!

No Twitter, no Instagram, no TV.
It'd drive him senseless. (Short trip)

[DENVERPOPS]

148. Or

send him to a room and let Stormy spank him.......

[Binkie The Clown]

157. Oooo. You've been a baaaad boy.

No. He might enjoy that.

[beachbumbob]

22. Doubt trump will appear but Biden should and demand to hold the townhall

[durablend]

26. This.

"Poor snowfwake coward wouldn't show up because the commission hurt his feefees"

[Amaryllis]

27. My guess is Trumpy will just try to shout over Biden without a mic if his mic is cut.

They will need a plan for that. Duct tape?

[Wednesdays]

105. Straightjacket. And a large net.

And some octane-strength tranquilizers, if necessary.

[Squidly]

117. Trapdoor....

[intheflow]

147. ...into a shark-infested pool!

A la Loony Tunes. Very fitting.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

151. You know what they say

Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.

[dixiechiken1]

28. Now put the candidates in isolation booths...

And you've got a winner. That way when tRump starts talking over Biden, even if he's yelling and his mic is cut, no one can hear him.

(Great visual, too - tRump's face all sweaty, arms a'flailing, and talking, talking, talking but no sound. Reeeeeally emphasizes the crazy.)

[rickmoen]

37. It would be good

for trump to find out what being in a cage feels like!

[Hortensis]

29. Good! But my guess is (forced) better behavior will benefit Trump.

The unhappy wobblies we hope he'll be piling last straws on really want to vote for Trump. If they didn't they wouldn't be wobbly, they'd be gone.

[Thekaspervote]

31. Good! If not why bother

[Grokenstein]

33. Gonna be funny

watching him pitch a tantrum at a dead mic

[ashredux]

34. This provides trump a reason to cancel out upcoming debates

This provides trump a reason to cancel our upcoming debates

[Pluvious]

35. Meme of the minute:

Link to tweet

[Pachamama]

126. +100000

That's my vote for the next moderator of the Presidential debate

He should ask Fat Donny his favorite Bible Passage and then ask him to explain or interpret the meaning of Ezekiel 25:17.

And after Donald can't answer, Samuel L Jackson should quote it for him in his own words:

[ToxMarz]

36. How about they only have ONE microphone

They can take their turn uninterrupted and no one needs to argue about mics being turned on or off.

[obamanut2012]

54. CV-19

[Lasher]

139. Then they would have to drag Trump from the mic

[PTWB]

40. That's too bad.

The world got to see the real Trump last night. Forcing Trump to conform to societal norms and behave is going to be doing Trump a favor - not Biden.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

46. But he can't conform; he just doesn't have it in him.

So how does doing this benefit tRump?

[PTWB]

52. Cutting off his mic?

The entire reason he self destructed last night was because he sat there ranting at Joe and Chris. Cut off his mic and he will APPEAR much closer to normal.

I'm not sure I understand the support for this type of censorship - we WANT people to see what a unhinged maniac Trump is. We WANT there to be a stark comparison between Joe Biden's cool, calm and collected vs Trump's unhinged ranting and yelling.

It is like Ted Lieu said earlier today:

Link to tweet

[obamanut2012]

55. lol wjut? This isn;t censorship

These are literal debate rules everyone else in the world follows, from grade school through the UN.

[PTWB]

59. This isn't debate club. [Don't read the post body if you don't want to read profanity.]

The fact is that Trump's repeated outbursts are why his performance in the debate was so universally condemned. He couldn't help himself from breaking the rules, yelling and interrupting and showing his orange ass all over the stage. It was a beautiful, awesome train wreck of self destruction.

The ONLY THING you'll accomplish by forcing Trump to follow the rules is HELP TRUMP because he is incapable of helping himself.

I am shocked and dismayed that there are people who legitimately think that forcing Trump to follow the rules that he otherwise wouldn't will do anything but improve how his debate performance is perceived.

Let him show his ass. Fuck.

[Awsi Dooger]

110. I completely agree with you

I have no idea why anyone is celebrating this. The public and media are so willing to overlook every Trump atrocity and instantly proclaim that he looked presidential.

This move forces him to be more presidential, instead of a petulant brat throwing a tantrum

[PTWB]

112. Exactly!

Last night we witnessed Trump being himself and completely self destructing. Now we have “Democrats” calling for physical countermeasures like mic muting in the next debate that will make it harder for Trump to self destruct.

On what fucking planet does that make sense?

[womanofthehills]

119. He will still self destruct - all that anger will be building up for two minites

He will be like a volcano when it’s his turn. He is not suddenly going to be rational.

[oldsoftie]

140. You guys dont get it; he wont stop talking, he'll just YELL!

[azureblue]

141. it's the Adderall

He was high as a kite on Aderall. Near OD levels - his body and his mouth gave it away. Full blown meth rant.

[treestar]

84. Yes, as usual, they are helping Dotard

because he's so far behind and they don't have a horse race.

[lagomorph777]

131. I wonder about that too - Trump showed us the monster he is.

However, even with mic cut off, he'll be screaming and gesticulating. Will look comical and scary at the same time. And when he comes over to Biden's podium to scream some more, we'll see the full monster again.

[Le Roi de Pot]

42. unless there are amplified monitors that drown out speaker- it may not have any effect

[TheRickles]

132. Yes - Biden will still be close enough to get an earful of distractions, even without a mic. n/t

[diverdownjt]

43. Do we really need to do this again...

I have enough pain in my life.

[MasonDreams]

45. Put him in a clear shield box (like the pope, or Julian Assange)

[Arazi]

47. Dammit I was really hoping they'd use my suggestion for a shock collar on Trump

[Dukkha]

48. If I was Biden I would had walked off the stage

after the first interruption.

[PTWB]

60. I'm glad you're not.

Joe did so well because he sat there and looked professional for an hour and a half while Trump looked like an unhinged maniac. Joe was at his best when he was talking to the people and ignoring Trump. The BEST thing Joe could hope for would be another debate performance from Trump EXACTLY as bad as last night.

Anyone trying to force Trump to follow the rules is in essence throwing a lifeline to Trump. He will appear more normal, more competent and less unhinged if we cut his mic and force him to follow the rules.

In what universe do we want to reduce the contrast between a cool, calm and collected Joe Biden and an unhinged ranting maniac Trump?

[Squidly]

118. I dont know

I think he would look even MORE unhinged if he sat there screaming into a dead mic or trying to be so loud that you could hear him anyway. I could even see him walking over and getting into Joes face. Just the shots of his body language not being able to talk would be priceless.

[Auggie]

56. Ban the audience too. It's not necessary.

[BannonsLiver]

80. That could be problematic, given that it's a town hall format

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/3559700001

[Auggie]

87. The live audience was non-factor in Debate One. Don't need them.

[TwilightZone]

96. It's a town hall.

The audience is providing the questions.

[BannonsLiver]

123. Do you even know what a TOWN HALL is?

The next “debate” is a TOWN HALL format.

It’s a thingy where THE AUDIENCE ASKS THE QUESTIONS.

So if there’s no audience it’s NOT A TOWN HALL.

Let me say it again just in case: The format is DIFFERENT than Tuesday night. The audience PARTICIPATES.

Instead of tossing out flippant, uninformed comments maybe try learning a little bit about the process.

[Auggie]

124. Debate audiences are a distraction ..,

and “Town Hall” formats are a waste of time.

[BannonsLiver]

125. ...

[Drunken Irishman]

101. The next debate is a townhall - an audience is required.

And I'd rather have the audience in studio asking their questions as opposed to on tape because I think that's where Trump is at his worst ... the interaction with the audience.

[quakerboy]

57. hot take: This is a move to help trump

He looked like the faulty individual he is last night.

If the camera is not on him, and his mic is cut, that is far less time that he is noticed being an ass.

plus he gets to complain to his base they are being unfair. and they will do their best to run with a narrative that Biden just cant keep up so the media has to change the rules to help him

Overall benefit of this change actually goes to trump.

[HelpImSurrounded]

143. +1000. AGREED

THIS IS THE RIGHT ANSWER!!

Tuesday night America saw the real Trump. If you edit him, it only benefits him.

[bucolic_frolic]

58. Time out playpen with a pacifier

Just to let the Debate Commission know ... their plan ain't gonna work. Theirs is a nasty, angry, snarly campaign, the rules of civility and decorum and tradition do not apply and are not going to apply. You can't put it back in the bottle, at least for this election cycle. He ruined his chance, don't give him any more chances, it's obvious what he stands for.

[iluvtennis]

61. Good. Maybe the jackass can use his 2 minutes to talk policy versus attacking people. nt

[Disaffected]

63. With Trump,

it will be a gong show no matter how you play it. Third world country stuff....

The next 30 or so days are going to be a l-o-o-o-ng wait.

[volstork]

66. Correction:

MIC (singular) will be cut.

There will be no need to cut Joe's mic. He's an adult.

[WinstonSmith4740]

67. Where's my popcorn?

I can't wait to see Il Douche's head explode the first time they turn his off.

[volstork]

68. Next debate is in Nashville.

I'll probably be able to hear him yelling from my house....

[grumpyduck]

70. Could also put a trap door behind his podium.

[Hamer555]

71. It is complete BS that Trump cannot be counted on to just follow the agreed upon rules.....

I just feel like this is catering to Trump's BS. We know we can't possibly TRUST you to follow the rules, Mr President.......so we've installed a kill switch.

complete BS. Yet another bar gets lowered thanks to Trump.

[Richard D]

73. How about sound proof cages . . .

. . . well, just one cage needed.

[Heartstrings]

77. How about no split screens either? Nt

[SergeStorms]

79. Henceforth known as, "The Trump Rule".

Yeah Donnie, you'll be infamous.

[BlueWavePsych]

83. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[C Moon]

85. He'll probably yell out anyway.

[rainin]

88. I've always objected to the threat that a candidate just won't show up

The debate is happening. If one candidate fails to show, continue on with the remaining candidate but put an empty podium on the stage. The candidate with the courage to stand up gets all the air time.

[crickets]

93. +1

[eppur_se_muova]

89. Start to fade out at 2:00, totally off at 2:10.

Because even good debaters don't always *quite* finish in time.

[Takket]

90. how humiliating for our nation that it has come to this.

we have to run a debate like a teacher runs a classroom for misbehaving brats. drumpf has destroyed all decency and respect in our system.

[ailsagirl]

98. It's really depressing to realize how far down that blundering idiot has pulled us

Fingers crossed (and GOTV, of course) that some highly welcome change occurs in November!!!

[Illage Vidiot]

91. Donnie,

[relayerbob]

92. Excellent!!

[Raven123]

94. For Town Hall debates, need to enforce spacial distance.

Personally, I think indoor live audiences are a distraction in ordinary circumstances, and a potential risk in a pandemic.

[Buns_of_Fire]

95. By the third debate, they'll have him trussed up like Hannibal Lecter.

Hopefully.

[Jon King]

97. The cake is already baked

I highly doubt it matters if they have the remaining debates, don't have them, or the format. The ratings were down a lot from 2016. Folks who are going to vote have made up their minds already. Trump is a total known now. I don't believe for a second that there are any true undecided voters that will actually bother to go out in the cold during a pandemic to vote. Anyone who cares has either already sent in their mail ballots, requested mail ballots that they are waiting for with a definite pick, or have a plan to vote for a particular candidate in person.

At this point its all about GOTV and insuring as much order as possible on election day. The minds of those who will actually vote have already been set.

[MontanaMama]

102. I'd rather see each candidate sit down alone

with an interviewer and answer the same questions. Debates have been a shit show ever since the League of Women Voters stopped doing them. Political pundits are horrible at moderating.

[wnylib]

103. Yes. This is a much better idea.

[consider_this]

106. How about this...

if a participant breaks the rules twice, they are removed from the 'debate' the other candidate gets the rest of the time.

why reward bullying, but it is important to see who the bully is, then consequences for said bullying.

[WyattKansas]

107. The buffoon will probably try to grab Biden's mic to keep yapping.

Seriously, I want to see Secret Service tackle him and put him in time-out.

[shanti]

108. Probably won't make a difference

He'll still holler out. I feel like there won't be another debate between them.

[spanone]

109. Will trump agree to the changes? Maybe Joe can just address the entire nation for 90 minutes.

[Tarc]

113. This is largely pointless

From another article on the matter;

Wallace told The Times that, “As a practical matter, even if the president’s microphone had been shut [on Tuesday] he still could have continued to interrupt, and it might well have been picked up on Biden’s microphone, and it still would have disrupted the proceedings in the hall,” he said.

You can't legislate respect, decorum, and decency. The man is simply bereft of all of it.

[dalton99a]

114. Trump is a vile sociopath who belongs in prison, not in civilized society

[themaguffin]

115. They should be automatically muted. This would also help with trump's inevitable bias tantrum about

being muted.

[zentrum]

129. I'm completely against this.

Let Rump be Rump.

Cutting him off protects him from view. It was him, raw and un-cut, that was the biggest reveal.

Seeing Rump unfiltered really helps turn out the undecideds for Biden.

What is the point of trying to "norm" him? Show him for what he is.

[HelpImSurrounded]

144. +1000 AGREED!!

[LuckyCharms]

130. Good. Now do something to restrain his stalking...

at the upcoming town hall debate.

[WyattKansas]

137. He risks losing his base if he tries that with Biden, like he did Hillary...

Because he fears Biden will turn around and knock him on his fat ass, sending his base in fleeing mode.

But then again, with whatever drug cocktail he had before the last debate that had him sweating and in hyper overload may put him in stalking mode again.

[Grammy23]

133. Maybe a trap door would do the trick.

After a predetermined number of interruptions, the trap door opens and POOF! The offending debater is gone. End of problem.

[CoryTrevor]

135. This helps Trump

because he'll still be yelling over Biden, and the only difference will be that the TV audience can't hear how offensive it is.

[HelpImSurrounded]

145. +1000 AGREED!!

[louis-t]

136. I believe he will end up storming out.

If they cut his mic, he will quit. Donnie can't ever play fair.

[wryter2000]

142. Woo-hoo!

I'd pay to watch Trump's mic cut off. Can you imagine how he'll react? The facial expressions alone will be enough to make up for his lies. Maybe he'll get red in the face and stalk off. Then, Joe can finish the debate without the asshole.

Even if his handlers convince him he must play by the rules. Even if Trump agrees, there's no way he has that much self control.

I hope every time Joe is called on to react to one of Trump's two minutes, he starts with, "Now, let's look at a few of the lies we just heard," and then lists them Trump will go ballistic.

[bucolic_frolic]

149. Trump will just find another way to lash out

Walk around the stage and stalk Biden, stomp his foot angrily on the floor, yell louder.

Dementia patients can reach a stage where behavior becomes violent. Security personnel should be on hand at all times.

[Mersky]

154. Good. Shouty Cheato can stuff it.

Or have it stuffed for him.