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Doodley

(8,976 posts)
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:25 AM Oct 2020

Does Trump's Covid diagnosis put a wrecking ball in the Biden campaign?

Things that worry me:

1/ How will it look to be attacking Trump, if he is sick? The Biden campaign will be criticized for it. But meanwhile, Team Trump can keep on attacking Biden.

2/ The same goes for the media. Are they going to go easy on Trump?

3/ Look at what happened to UK's Boris Johnson. His approval SKYROCKETED after he was infected - from 46% to 66% (see the YouGov link below). If Trump got half that, he would win the election.

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/trackers/boris-johnson-approval-rating

4/ If Trump is hospitalized and cannot campaign, the right will never accept the result and say Biden won because Trump was incapacitated.

63 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Does Trump's Covid diagnosis put a wrecking ball in the Biden campaign? (Original Post) Doodley Oct 2020 OP
You worry too much...and about the wrong things. stopbush Oct 2020 #1
I've been worrying ever since Trump came down that escalator and made the Doodley Oct 2020 #21
Joe doesn't have to attack Trump Skittles Oct 2020 #2
joe can just shift to issues and programs and lay off the personality things nt msongs Oct 2020 #3
This! And that's exactly what Biden being the consummate statesman will do Thekaspervote Oct 2020 #13
Yes, you are right. He should sell his vision for America. Doodley Oct 2020 #22
Most of the anti-Trump stuff has been coming from folks like Lincoln Project anyway. thesquanderer Oct 2020 #62
You worry too much texasfiddler Oct 2020 #4
I've been worrying ever since Trump came down that escalator. Doodley Oct 2020 #23
My first and main concern is that Biden has been exposed to this dangerous virus. Big Blue Marble Oct 2020 #5
THIS BamaRefugee Oct 2020 #9
After BEING YELLED AT LovingA2andMI Oct 2020 #11
I bet he already knew, or suspected. Asshole. Crunchy Frog Oct 2020 #46
His approval ratings aren't going to skyrocket. BlueStater Oct 2020 #6
Haven't you noticed how dumb many of your fellow countrymen are. But I agree Doodley Oct 2020 #25
Not even close. Trump actively spread this disease and he's MaryMagdaline Oct 2020 #7
Don't you remember how badly Britain was doing before BJ got sick? They had no CV plan. Doodley Oct 2020 #31
They were incompetent, but not actively destructive... regnaD kciN Oct 2020 #55
Trump is responsible for 10's of 1000's of deaths Lucinda Oct 2020 #8
Obviously I agree. I've said the same a thousand times, but Americans re-elected Doodley Oct 2020 #26
That is where we differ...It shouldnt have been close enough to steal, but I dont think this country Lucinda Oct 2020 #27
I agree with you. Also the anger that many feel about Trump may be neutered Doodley Oct 2020 #28
Biden will be the perfect statesman. The media always goes easy on him Thekaspervote Oct 2020 #10
No. I don't think Biden voters are going to suddenly switch to Trump, but some may Doodley Oct 2020 #29
HE doesn't have to attack Trump. Biden has his own plans on how to do things that he will discuss JI7 Oct 2020 #12
Agreed. Thank you. Doodley Oct 2020 #30
My thoughts BannonsLiver Oct 2020 #14
1. Yes. 3. Trump needs a 4% boost and reduce Dem turnout by being sick and he could win. Doodley Oct 2020 #36
Or not. BannonsLiver Oct 2020 #57
Biden doesn't need to attack. Renew Deal Oct 2020 #15
You think Trump would halt his campaign of lies against Biden? Doodley Oct 2020 #38
It depends on what the Trump campaign does... regnaD kciN Oct 2020 #56
They gotta stay on offense. nt BootinUp Oct 2020 #16
I agree. Full throttle to the finishing line. Never blinking. Doodley Oct 2020 #39
Boris Johnson actually WON his election and was more liked than his opponent JI7 Oct 2020 #17
With just 4 point boost and reducing Dem turnout by being sick, Trump could win. Doodley Oct 2020 #40
Biden can switch tactics somewhat Awsi Dooger Oct 2020 #18
Agreed and the voters will see the difference with Trump. Doodley Oct 2020 #41
Attack that stupid dumbfuck for dereliction. BootinUp Oct 2020 #19
Yes, even if he won't protect Americans, he hasn't done a good job protecting himself. Doodley Oct 2020 #35
Joe will say and do the right thing. chriscan64 Oct 2020 #20
I hope you are right, but too many Americans are not rational. Was it rational for Doodley Oct 2020 #34
He doesn't have to attack him Rice4VP Oct 2020 #24
Trump is at 43-44% approval. If this gives him just 4-5%. we are fucked. Doodley Oct 2020 #33
Not really. He got an approval bump when the pandemic took off in March radius777 Oct 2020 #42
But Trump being sick could suppress Dem turnout. Some people will feel some satisfaction Doodley Oct 2020 #45
Trump made his own bed radius777 Oct 2020 #32
I absolutely agree with you. But elections are usually won at the margins. Doodley Oct 2020 #47
Doubt it. This isn't just about Trump himself radius777 Oct 2020 #49
The news I'm watching right now.. BGBD Oct 2020 #37
Good. Thanks for the information. I hope it stays that way. Doodley Oct 2020 #43
I didn't know that about Boris. Fuck. Crunchy Frog Oct 2020 #44
Don't read too much into Johnson's approval rating muriel_volestrangler Oct 2020 #48
My Brit friends said he also was very complimentary about the NHS obamanut2012 Oct 2020 #59
I wouldn't be surprised if the Biden campaign had a plan for this contingency. nt LAS14 Oct 2020 #50
Joe can certainly attack Trump's policies octoberlib Oct 2020 #51
My friends in England say Boris is seen more like how W was here obamanut2012 Oct 2020 #60
No mnmoderatedem Oct 2020 #52
Just no Sunsky Oct 2020 #53
This is an utter disaster for Trump budkin Oct 2020 #54
NO, and who cares what the right says? A win is a win. Demsrule86 Oct 2020 #58
Not comparable situations. Trump has acrued TONS of bad will and this is seen as just deserts Azathoth Oct 2020 #61
Biden just needs to talk about what he'll bring... lame54 Oct 2020 #63

Doodley

(8,976 posts)
21. I've been worrying ever since Trump came down that escalator and made the
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:38 AM
Oct 2020

dumbest and most racist candidacy announcement I'd ever seen. Most of those worries have happened.

Skittles

(152,964 posts)
2. Joe doesn't have to attack Trump
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:26 AM
Oct 2020

he just needs to point out facts - like how fucked America is right now, and how we need CHANGE

Thekaspervote

(32,605 posts)
13. This! And that's exactly what Biden being the consummate statesman will do
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:32 AM
Oct 2020

I’m sure he will issue a statement saying he and Jill are hoping he has a full and speedy recovery

thesquanderer

(11,953 posts)
62. Most of the anti-Trump stuff has been coming from folks like Lincoln Project anyway.
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 11:01 AM
Oct 2020

I think Biden's campaign/advertising has *already* been much more Biden-positive than Trump-negative.

Big Blue Marble

(4,978 posts)
5. My first and main concern is that Biden has been exposed to this dangerous virus.
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:28 AM
Oct 2020

Let us be assured that he is safe before we worry about other issues.

BlueStater

(7,596 posts)
6. His approval ratings aren't going to skyrocket.
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:29 AM
Oct 2020

Over half this country fucking hates him. Not dislikes. HATES. There’s nothing he could do to change that.

Doodley

(8,976 posts)
25. Haven't you noticed how dumb many of your fellow countrymen are. But I agree
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:42 AM
Oct 2020

he won't skyrocket, but approval of say 48% is dangerous.

MaryMagdaline

(6,849 posts)
7. Not even close. Trump actively spread this disease and he's
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:29 AM
Oct 2020

A cautionary tale ... can’t protect himself and family, can’t protect us. Boris Johnson got sick early on before he had months and months of denial and it was early in his administration, before he had alienated absolutely everyone. On top of which he turned his whole illness into a god bless the national health institute. In contrast? Trump has already blamed police and military.

Doodley

(8,976 posts)
31. Don't you remember how badly Britain was doing before BJ got sick? They had no CV plan.
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 03:05 AM
Oct 2020

They were slow to test, slow to contact trace, slow to restrict travel. Other nations assumed they were going down the herd immunity route.

regnaD kciN

(26,035 posts)
55. They were incompetent, but not actively destructive...
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 04:36 AM
Oct 2020

BoJo the Clown wasn't urging people to go maskless, ignore social distancing, and insist on "re-opening" within a few weeks of the first cases. I would think that would make a huge difference. Sure, I think we'll see a momentary spike in sympathy for Trump, but I doubt it will have any effect on his popularity once it becomes clear that he's going to survive.

Lucinda

(31,170 posts)
8. Trump is responsible for 10's of 1000's of deaths
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:29 AM
Oct 2020

when he knew better. There is no argument for that fact. If he gets sick it will be by his own inaction.

Doodley

(8,976 posts)
26. Obviously I agree. I've said the same a thousand times, but Americans re-elected
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:46 AM
Oct 2020

W. Bush and they (arguably) elected Trump. I don't have the same faith they won't fuck us up.

Lucinda

(31,170 posts)
27. That is where we differ...It shouldnt have been close enough to steal, but I dont think this country
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:49 AM
Oct 2020

elected Trump.

I get your point though. But a lot of those Covid deaths have touched GOP families - they wont forgive him knowing and doing nothing.

Doodley

(8,976 posts)
28. I agree with you. Also the anger that many feel about Trump may be neutered
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:52 AM
Oct 2020

by Trump testing positive. That isn't good for GOTV.

Thekaspervote

(32,605 posts)
10. Biden will be the perfect statesman. The media always goes easy on him
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:30 AM
Oct 2020

Even if his approval goes up, the question is, do you really think that Biden voters will be swayed? I don’t

If he’s hospitalized then the right will have to decide if they are going to have pence run. It won’t stop the election

Doodley

(8,976 posts)
29. No. I don't think Biden voters are going to suddenly switch to Trump, but some may
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:55 AM
Oct 2020

feel satisfaction that Trump has got what he deserves through getting infected, rather than getting a good kicking in the election. That doesn't help GOTV.

JI7

(89,172 posts)
12. HE doesn't have to attack Trump. Biden has his own plans on how to do things that he will discuss
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:31 AM
Oct 2020

BannonsLiver

(16,161 posts)
14. My thoughts
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:32 AM
Oct 2020

1: He can still run positive ads/messaging about his vision for the country.

2: Maybe.

3: BoJo and Trump aren’t apples to apples, no matter how much Americans may think they are.

4: Who gives a shit.

regnaD kciN

(26,035 posts)
56. It depends on what the Trump campaign does...
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 04:42 AM
Oct 2020

Obviously, Trump himself is going to be out of circulation until late October at the best, and Pence is likely out for the next two weeks even if he doesn't come down with it himself. (And, frankly, I would guess Biden will be self-isolating until early next week as a precaution.) So the question is, does the Trump campaign rely entirely on surrogates and ads? If so, I would guess Biden would do the same, maybe making a few video appearances and spreading a positive message. (Obviously, Biden now doesn't need to be flying about the country making campaign appearances himself.) If, for some reason, there comes a point where Trump declares himself "cured" and starts with the MAGA rallies again, we're free to respond in kind.

JI7

(89,172 posts)
17. Boris Johnson actually WON his election and was more liked than his opponent
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:33 AM
Oct 2020

Johnson was never to the UK what Trump is to the US . Johnson is more comparable to maybe GWB although Johnson isn't an idiot .

Johnson came down with the Virus early on and he did not deny it afterwards .

The comparison is just stupid and ignores many existing things which makes the comparison weak.

 

Awsi Dooger

(14,565 posts)
18. Biden can switch tactics somewhat
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:34 AM
Oct 2020

Run ads focusing on coronavirus and the importance of wearing a mask. Include clips and text of Biden's early statements on the matter

Run ads that are totally pro-Biden and don't mention Trump. I assume many of those are available

chriscan64

(1,789 posts)
20. Joe will say and do the right thing.
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:37 AM
Oct 2020

That's who he is. Trump will get sympathy that will not translate into votes. Americans understand already that he did this to himself, just like he did with his finances and taxes. If an employee steals from the register because of a gambling addiction, you may feel sympathy but you sure as hell don't put them back on the register on the next shift.

Doodley

(8,976 posts)
34. I hope you are right, but too many Americans are not rational. Was it rational for
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 03:09 AM
Oct 2020

W. Bush to get 90% approval after 9/11? Is it rational that Trump is still at around 43-44%?

Rice4VP

(1,235 posts)
24. He doesn't have to attack him
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 02:41 AM
Oct 2020

he can just talk about his plans. Boris Johnson tested positive a month in, not 7 months and 208,000 people hadn’t died

radius777

(3,624 posts)
42. Not really. He got an approval bump when the pandemic took off in March
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 03:18 AM
Oct 2020

but that never affected his re-elect polling numbers.

And that situation was one where most voters didn't really blame him at the time for the pandemic.

But since then he's spent his time downplaying the virus and insinuating it is a hoax, mocking mask wearing, condeming the shutdowns and calling for states to be 'liberated' etc.

Trump getting the covid is the ultimate refutation of his stance on this, and ultimate vindication of Biden's stance.

Doodley

(8,976 posts)
45. But Trump being sick could suppress Dem turnout. Some people will feel some satisfaction
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 03:21 AM
Oct 2020

that would otherwise have been felt by voting him out of office.

radius777

(3,624 posts)
32. Trump made his own bed
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 03:07 AM
Oct 2020

and now has to lie in it. And that would be bad enough but he also made the bed for 200k people who would've been alive had he not tried to pretend the virus away in order to prop up the stock market for his rich friends.

At first there may be a 'sympathy bump' in his approvals, but this situation more than anything vindicates Biden's message of mask wearing and adherence to scientific guidelines which Trump mocked - and this will result in more votes for Biden.

The Boris Johnson situation is different as he actually was contrite, thanked the front-line workers etc. He also iirc won his race convincingly and it was early in his term. In contrast we are less than 30 days before an election and everyone is 'dug in'.

As to what the MAGAts will accept? Who cares - they won't accept anything short of Trump being installed as dictator for life. Trump alone is to blame for his situation we just hope he didn't also infect Joe.

Doodley

(8,976 posts)
47. I absolutely agree with you. But elections are usually won at the margins.
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 03:25 AM
Oct 2020

If Dem turnout is suppressed by a few points and Trump gets just a small bump of a few points, it could be bad news.

radius777

(3,624 posts)
49. Doubt it. This isn't just about Trump himself
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 03:34 AM
Oct 2020

but about his administration, about McConnell and the Senate, about what the GOP has become. RBG's death and the GOP's ramming through of a young rightwing justice will tilt the court 6-3 for a generation. If Trump (or Pence) is reelected they could possibly appoint two more justices (Breyer and Thomas are old) thus tilting the court 8-1.

Trump played himself. He tried to pretend the virus wasn't real but the virus didn't agree. Voters will turn out even more to vote for science and reality (and health and safety) that is represented by Biden/Harris ticket.

 

BGBD

(3,282 posts)
37. The news I'm watching right now..
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 03:14 AM
Oct 2020

is not going easy on him. They are pointing out off the ways he downplayed it this whole time. They are talking about masks. They are pointing out that Trump knew Hicks had COVID this morning and still attended a fundraiser even though he knew he was exposed.

muriel_volestrangler

(101,146 posts)
48. Don't read too much into Johnson's approval rating
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 03:26 AM
Oct 2020

That was also the start of the response, when people were optimistic that actions would bring it under control. In particular, the furlough scheme (employees who stop working would have 80% of their salary paid by the government, up to £25k) was well-liked as a financial response.

obamanut2012

(25,905 posts)
59. My Brit friends said he also was very complimentary about the NHS
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 10:49 AM
Oct 2020

And his caregivers, when he is usually snarky about the NHS and its staff, and that also played very well.

octoberlib

(14,971 posts)
51. Joe can certainly attack Trump's policies
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 03:51 AM
Oct 2020

without attacking his person. I’m not convinced his approval rating will rise because of COVID. Boris Johnson is bad but nowhere near as despicable as Trump . And your assertion that Trump’s illness will affect Dem turnout is bullshit.

obamanut2012

(25,905 posts)
60. My friends in England say Boris is seen more like how W was here
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 10:50 AM
Oct 2020

And, as bad as W was, he played much better than Trump.

mnmoderatedem

(3,706 posts)
52. No
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 04:07 AM
Oct 2020

Boris Johnson was very conciliatory and rather humble in the wake of his illness, and came off very sincere in urging people to take it seriously. trump is incapable of such behavior. Admit he was wrong in mocking Biden wearing a mask? He'd rather lose the presidency than admit he's wrong about something.


and trump has repeatedly downplayed the situation and keeps insisting we've "turned a corner". Optics do not look good for him.

Sunsky

(1,737 posts)
53. Just no
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 04:21 AM
Oct 2020

I see no good in this for Trump. He was reckless and irresponsible and this is the outcome. He has put many people's lives in danger and Biden should point this out. The election has already begun.

The clown knew Hope Hicks was positive, yet still went to a campaign event. Come on people. We can wish him well and still point out his inadequacies.

The picture here is totally different here than in the UK. We have over 200,000 people dead and this man was joking about Biden's mask, at the same time he was possibly infected.

The Cleveland Clinic asked his entourage to wear masks at the debate and they refused. They are super spreaders (period). Now the Conman is blaming the military and people coming close to them. If they had followed the CDC guidelines, they and the people around them would've been wearing masks and social distancing, etc.

Azathoth

(4,603 posts)
61. Not comparable situations. Trump has acrued TONS of bad will and this is seen as just deserts
Fri Oct 2, 2020, 10:53 AM
Oct 2020

Boris was always seen a bumbling and uninformed but affable rightwing populist. Once he got sick, there was a traditional rally-around-the-flag effect. Even Brits who opposed him didn't actually wish him ill.

Trump has spent 8 months maliciously lying about and downplaying this virus. He has relentlessly made things worse in every conceivable way, and he has put everyone else at risk. And he has *never* hesitated to hit other people when they were down, including attacking widows who hadn't even buried their dead husbands yet.

Honestly, even though they won't admit it, about 60% of the country is silently cheering today. The playground bully finally punched himself in the face.

If anything, Biden's numbers will see a bump.

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