Forcing Trump to conform to societal norms helps Trump, not Joe.

[PTWB]

Trump will be just as deranged as he always has been. Forcing his mic off when Joe is talking will simply make him appear to be reasonable.

Why on earth do we want to help Trump appear reasonable?

Why would we want to do anything at all that limits, however slightly, his ability to self destruct?

[uppityperson]

1. He'll be mouthing off anyway, and the mic off is only for the 2 min initial statements

He'll be able to interrupt during the discussion part.

[soothsayer]

2. He can't and won't comply

He’s incapable of it

[PTWB]

3. He cant help it because they're installing a mute button.

They won’t let him be his deranged self. They’re preventing him from doing as poorly as he did in the first debate.

[soothsayer]

8. I know but he'll still be acting up. Overtalking, pulling faces

His bad behavior will be on display, I’m 99% sure (but honestly, I had the same reaction as you)

[PTWB]

11. It just doesn't make any sense.

Why would we want to do anything at all that limits, however slightly, his ability to self destruct?

[soothsayer]

14. Well, I don't think "we" did anything. It's a bipartisan private org

Isn’t it?

I don’t know how the changes came about. Public outcry?

[uppityperson]

20. Only for the initial 2 min statements. There will be 11 min each question of

supposedly discussion. He'll bully then.

[RockRaven]

4. Well, he might react by trying to walk over to a hot mic, or yelling loud enough to be picked up,

and both of those would make him look even more unhinged.

[SMC22307]

5. You think he'll be able to keep this mouth shut? I don't.

It's very unlikely he'll appear reasonable; in fact, there's a good chance he'll blow.

[PTWB]

7. They'll just cut his mic. That's the problem.

Yelling into the mic every time Joe tried to talk is what caused him to plummet in the polls after that debate. We are limiting his ability to sabotage himself. For what?

[SMC22307]

10. And he'll keep yammering away and appear the unhinged fool that he is.

He's imploding and the debate won't be any different, regardless of whether or not his mic is muted.

[PTWB]

13. Why?

Why would we want to do anything at all that limits, however slightly, his ability to self destruct?

[SMC22307]

16. The rules aren't for him. Do you really think he'll behave on stage...

with a female moderator cutting his mic?

[mucifer]

6. I expect him to walk around to Biden and cough in his face. he's so evil we don't know what

to expect. But, conforming to norms isn't going to happen.

If he could follow directions he would have done better in the town hall.

[My Pet Orangutan]

9. Trump's mic is only off for two minutes of each segment

After that, he has all the time necessary to be his deranged, obnoxious, stupid self.

Giving Biden two minutes of clear air to deliver presidential answers does not help Trump.

[mourningdove92]

12. Oh I have faith that he will find a way to be disruptive.

He cant stand anyone else being the center of attention. Even during a debate. Remember how he followed Hillary around when she was speaking. She should have tuned around on him and kneed him right in his tiny genitals.

[Eko]

15. Somebody will be recording what he is saying during the mic muting.

That will be fun to hear lol.

[Trenzalore]

17. I wouldn't worry

I see him gesticulating on TV and shouting with his Microphone muted which will actually look worse.

[SMC22307]

19. That's what I'm counting on and may actually tune in for this debate. (n/t)

[BainsBane]

18. It helps the American people

so that they can learn about the candidates. That is the point of debates.

[Cousin Dupree]

21. Trump will never conform and thus will never appear reasonable

[Thekaspervote]

22. He won't agree. They won't change the topics that he agreed to and now this..he'll be a no show

[Atticus]

23. With respect, I think your premise is unrealistic: NO ONE NO HOW is going to "force Trump

to conform to societal norms".

He will be on a split screen and America will watch as he does his "spoiled-brat four year old" impression.

This won't hurt Joe's numbers, IMHO. They may tick up.