I have deliberately avoided the Bernie Wars.

[Ninsianna]

71. I think he's a poor debater because he cannot effectively form coherent arguments that

are backed up by evidence he can produce while engaging in debate. He cannot answer arguments well. He has poor rhetorical skills and is generally proves himself to be unprepared to understand or address a wide variety of issues that he's not a familiar with and given his very narrow focus, he is not widely or deeply versed in the topics he's dealing with.

So I think that countering the argument that he's a poor debater with "but he's soooooo popular, all the people who're asked in silly polls if they like him or Steve Bannon, like him better!11!11" is a poor argument.


See reality is that anyone who understands how to read polls, how to understand what "He's a bad debater and can't answer questions well" knows that this is a rather silly strawman.

That's a fallacy of argument when someone cannot answer an point of debate and instead chooses to present an argument of their own creation that they wish had been offered because they think they can defeat it more easily.

So he sucks universally at answering questions and engaging in debate, the reality is that he does, and deflections with debunked polls don't in anyway answer the point I have made.


In reality, my point stands and the "most popular politician in the US" in a field including a limited number of people, with a limited number of poliiticans, and an even more limited number of active office holders is, well, just a sad hill to die on.

I mean if it makes you feel better the god awful debater who lost every debate and can't answer simple questions asked by his constituents and journalists, is the BESTEST politician in the US and the planet, when choosing between Trump, Pence and Ted Cruz!

OMG, soooooo POPULAR compared to those guys! Happy now? It's pointless, it's silly and it's not on topic.

I'm guessing that this failure to recognize what's being said, the topic being discussed and a general failure to appreciate what debate skills actually are, are what's so upsetting when people factually assess your favorite politician's rhetorical skills.

Those who do understand what debate skills are and have seen the way these guys answer questions are quite well aware of his lack of proficiency, and that has nothing to do with the man himself.