Trump-Biden Debate

Why Dumping Biden is Unlikely

A key problem for the Biden team and for the Democratic Party is Kamala Harris. If Biden decides to not seek a second term, it is almost certain that Vice President Harris will be the shaky nominee.

Ten Observations About Where we go After the Debate

If Biden pulls out, qualms about age and decrepitude immediately turn, like Elmer Fudd’s shotgun, back onto Trump. He’s not aging well either.

Jumbler-in-Chief Versus the Demagogue

Biden recovered later in the debate, but not before viewers were given ample reason to worry about an 81-year incumbent.

Might Biden Dropping Out Be a Big Opportunity?

The Democrats should embrace this opportunity to produce a splendid, news-dominating American pageant. For once, horse race coverage will actually be more important than issues coverage. With the nominee unknown, Putin and Trump will have a hard time targeting or strategizing.

Wow that was Brutal

Overall, this whole exercise proved to be a vindication of what the so called "double haters" believe: this matchup is a disaster for the country. 

Go to the Transcript?

Compared to Trump he was a relative paragon of accuracy, truth, context, and detail.

Dean Phillips was Right

This “debate” was incredibly sad. Sad to watch Joe Biden, like a fighter well beyond his prime, taking blow after blow. Always on his heels. Always reactive.

Chinese Mock America over Embarrassing Debate

What rubs salt in the wound of American pride in its democratic system is the mockery from China: the fact that netizens of the one-party authoritarian state are laughing over the debacle.

Biden Even Fumbled his Foreign Policy Strengths

Biden’s gravely disappointing performance allowed Trump to avoid answering vital questions.

Time to Talk Tough with Joe

Polls showed that an unnamed Democrat could beat Trump, but they also consistently show that people don’t approve of Biden’s performance and think he’s too old to be President and is a weak leader. He had one chance Thursday to demonstrate all that was mistaken—and he utterly failed to do it.

The Worst Choice in American History? Sounds About Right

If Trump lied more egregiously than Biden, and he did, Biden piled up his share of political fibs.

Move Along, Nothing to See. Our Lies are Good Lies

"My lies are good lies. I lie to preserve democracy. Trump’s lies are bad lies."

Frail? Certainly. But Command of the Facts

I was pleasantly surprised (starting from very low expectations) how much he recalled and how cogently he recited it. The downside to all the prepping is too much detail and no zingers.

This is what Blowing it Looks Like

When the nation’s voters – many millions of them – tuned in to last night’s debate, what they first heard was the nation’s president, an aging white man struggling with a mouth full of cotton.

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Springtime in Olympia: Politically Charged Votes

In a move likely to prove popular with Elon Musk haters, House Democrats passed a tax on the sale of zero-emission vehicle credits, which will fall almost entirely on Tesla in the short term. 

How Pope Francis Changed the Vatican

"What a breath of fresh air he was to our Church, coming at a moment when we needed him so badly,” Fr. Michael Ryan, pastor of St. James Cathedral, wrote in a letter to parishoners.

After Some Lean Years, Seahawks need a Score in This Week’s Draft

In fairness, any NFL GM in the job 15 years likely has a knucklehead selection or two. And Schneider gets credit for the creation of the Seahawks' Super Bowl teams of 2013 and 2014

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Springtime in Olympia: Politically Charged Votes

In a move likely to prove popular with Elon Musk haters, House Democrats passed a tax on the sale of zero-emission vehicle credits, which will fall almost entirely on Tesla in the short term. 

How Pope Francis Changed the Vatican

"What a breath of fresh air he was to our Church, coming at a moment when we needed him so badly,” Fr. Michael Ryan, pastor of St. James Cathedral, wrote in a letter to parishoners.

After Some Lean Years, Seahawks need a Score in This Week’s Draft

In fairness, any NFL GM in the job 15 years likely has a knucklehead selection or two. And Schneider gets credit for the creation of the Seahawks' Super Bowl teams of 2013 and 2014

Trump Said he’d End the Ukraine War in a Day. There Have Been 92 of Them While he’s been President

President Donald Trump has apparently decided that bringing peace...

Democracy Vouchers: Will Voters Renew the Experiment?

The “Honest Elections” promise of “keeping big wealth out of politics” was thus not fully realized. It fell victim to the Citizens United decision that permits PACs to spend unlimited amounts.

Report on Wine: Nick Kristof’s Vineyards

To the extent my reporting career has focused on people left behind and the need to create new industries that nurture jobs and opportunities in rural America, our tiny little operation is meant to be an example of that.”