What Would Have Been a Great Debate Would Be

[MineralMan]

for Joe Biden to stand up on that stage by himself.

However, that's not how presidential debates work. Both candidates get their turns to speak. Trump used his to continue to make false statements and lie about important things. Joe Biden did not do that.

Joe did a fine job in the debate. Not a perfect job, but a fine job. He didn't lie. He made his main points. He shone brightly over Donald J. Trump, who confuses his addled thinking and mendacity with truth.

It's a 90-minute debate. Joe Biden prevailed in it. He stood out as a man of reason when compared to a man of lies and fantasies.

[Siwsan]

1. trump* is running on nothing but fumes.

I wonder if somewhere deep in the recesses of his reptilian brain, he's trying to come up with an exploitable exit plan.

[MineralMan]

3. His exit plan is already fully formed.

When he loses, he will resign before inauguration day, to take advantage of a Pence pardon. He's stupid, but not so stupid that he doesn't see his way out of his disastrous mess.

What does Pence get? He gets to be the 46th POTUS for a couple of months. That will do just fine for him, since he is a man of small imagination.

[CincyDem]

4. I've been on this train for 3 months. 1,000% agree. n/t

[Siwsan]

5. I think that sounds just about right.

I'm no fan of Pence, but I think his behavior would be MUCH more gracious, upon exiting the White House, than anything trump* could manage. The whole 'meet and greet' at the White House is unnecessary for Joe, but I doubt trump* would even bother to attend whatever they stage for the inauguration, in January.

[MineralMan]

6. Some people say Trump's ego won't let him resign.

I say that's nonsense. Trump's ego is enormous, but his survival instincts are even larger. He knows what he faces, and understands that only a blanket pardon can save him from years of prosecutions and investigations. He is the ultimate pragmatist when it comes to his personal interests.

He has a long history of bailing out when he is threatened with real consequences. He will follow his historical bent, I'm sure.

[Siwsan]

8. I'm assuming if he tries pulling any 'law suit' nonsense, it would be at his PERSONAL expense

and not something he'd exploit the DOJ to handle.

James Carville thinks that even though some states will still be counting ballots on the 4th and 5th, states counting mail in ballots contemporary to receipt, like Florida, will likely be enough to be a strong indication, on Nov 3, who will be declared the winner. Hopefully it will be a landslide. The last thing we need, right now, is another crisis.

And I sincerely doubt trump* will ever concede, no matter what the numbers.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

7. I agree on the pardon, but how does he get out of his NY trouble?

The Pence pardon isn't going to cover the state charges.

And to add to your theory, I think Trump will pardon his family and friends before he resigns.

[MineralMan]

9. I don't think NY State will actually bring any charges.

No former President has ever been charged with a crime committed in or out of office, as far as I know. Tradition rules.

Of course Trump will issue pardons. Either that or he will get Pence to do so. Pence will agree to do anything to have his name in the history books as a POTUS. Anything.

[TwilightZone]

2. Agreed. I think the calls for no debates, etc., are misguided.

The debates only hurt Trump and only helped Biden, especially the first one.

The contrast could not be more obvious and in a time of chaos, fear and uncertainty is what many voters are undoubtedly looking for.