The Debate was a Bloodbath, but Trump Missed Opportunities

I had only one concern going into the debate on Thursday night.

Would Donald Trump figure out how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?

Fortunately, Trump has some pretty sharp advisors that recognized Biden’s demands for closed mics and no audience was like removing dry kindling from the path of a wildfire. Without the opportunity to interrupt, the audience wouldn’t experience the annoying, bullying Trump that turned off so many viewers during the 2020 debates. Without an audience, Trump was effectively forced to focus on policy instead of hamming it up for the partisans.

Still, all that said, I agree with my colleague Kevin Boyd, who gave Trump a grade of “C.”

Missed Opportunities

I don’t have an answer as to why, but I think it’s fair to say that we haven’t seen the 2016 debate version of Trump in either 2020 or last night. Unlike 2016, when he was as sharp as a ground stiletto, Trump missed several opportunities to put the kill shot into a wounded, flailing, cognitively impaired opponent. I understand he was trying to complete thoughts and answer criticisms, but Trump’s complete disregard for some of the questions he was asked often gave the impression he was either ill prepared or believed his position on the subject was indefensible.

Climate Change: If someone who was totally unfamiliar with Trump watched Thursday’s debate, could they explain Trump’s position on climate change after hearing him speak? Besides defending the withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol, which he explained with clarity, what exactly does Trump want to do to address climate change, or does he simply want to ignore it?

Based on his speeches, I get the impression Trump doesn’t really believe in climate change at all, and if he does, he thinks the effects are marginal. Going forward, I’m not certain that’s a winning position for Republicans as the country swelters year after year in higher temperatures and is continually ravaged by wildfires, hurricanes and other unusual weather-related events.

Perhaps it’s time for Republicans to admit the climate may be changing, as it always has, and develop strategies that will appeal to independent voters. Maybe we would rather use the resources we’re spending on unproven theories like human caused climate change, and instead, address the effects of climate change.

Yet, that wasn’t the type of kill shot I’m speaking of. Trump could have buried Biden by raising an issue I’ve heard him talk extensively about in speeches. Does the American public want to endure the burden and inconvenience of a total ban on gas stoves, dryers and water heaters? Do they enjoy flushing the low-water toilet three extra times to remove waste? How about having to pouring water into the washer so the clothes actually get wet? Do they relish the trickle that comes out of low-flow shower heads? How do they feel about giving up central air conditioning?

If Trump raised those issues, it’s slam dunk, and game over on climate change.

China: Everyone knows how Trump feels about China, and while he talked about the tariffs he imposed, which have been extraordinarily effective, he missed an opportunity to pounce on major Biden policy failures, including the Putin-Xi alliance, which threatens America’s position as the worlds military and economic leader.

More importantly, Trump failed to even mention Biden’s tragic destruction of the American automobile industry through forced EV mandates. As more Americans learn about the environmental disaster that will result from EV adoption and the practical challenges of everyday usage, they continue to reject EVs in ever greater numbers. In fact, over 60% of Americans have said they have no plans to purchase an EV in the near or long-term future.

At this point, it’s clear China has emerged as the dominant player in the EV industry because it holds all the cards in battery production. They are also improving their manufacturing operations at a rapid pace and are now introducing EVs that are both stylish and priced substantially below U.S. models. While Trump has spoken on this subject at rally’s, he wasted an opportunity to pound Biden on the willful and unnecessary devastation to an industry that contributes 3.5% to America’s GDP.

Ukraine: Trump was forced to play defense on Ukraine when Biden shifted the discussion to NATO and accused Trump of wanting to disband the entire organization. Trump talked about how he compelled NATO members to pay more of their fair share. That was fine, but the chance to educate the American people on why the conflict in Ukraine began in the first place was squandered. I imagine most Americans are unaware that the CIA under Obama stage a coup against the duly elected President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych. Further, while Trump did mention that Ukraine is losing the war, tying the recent $60 billion aid package to Biden’s re-election would have been devastating. Biden knows Ukraine is a lost cause, but he must keep Zelenskyy fighting until after the election. In essence, $200 billion has been pissed away.

Overshadowed by a Dead Man Walking

 I think Trump could have pulled a Gerald Ford gaffe (“There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe”), a Rick Perry gaffe, (“I can’t. The third one, I can’t. Sorry. Oops”) and sweated like Richard Nixon, and it wouldn’t have mattered. Biden’s stiff gait, hand shake to a ghost, dead eyed stare, hanging open mouth and seemingly constant brain freeze confirmed the worst fears of the electorate: The man holding the nuclear codes for the most devastating arsenal on the planet has progressive dementia.

Those of us who have had a loved one suffering from mental decline are quick to recognize the disease, and we know the stages. It is highly probable that if he’s still alive, Joe Biden will be so significantly impaired by 2028, which would be the end of his second term, that he won’t be practically functional, let alone in a position to assume the responsibilities of the most demanding job in the world.

Americans need to understand that a vote for Biden is essentially also a vote for shrill, cackling Kamala Harris, who has her own cognitive issues. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind Biden will not complete a second term.

If I were Trump, I would withdraw from the second debate, citing cruelty and compassion. No one wants to see an old, feeble man getting kicked while he’s down.

The lasting impression of Joe Biden for casual voters should be the one they saw last night.