Presidential debate: How the world's media reacted

https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54354405

We are a laughing stock around the world. We should be ashamed for showing the world that this is the best we can do.

How embarrassing.

This sums it up: As The Times in the UK wrote, "The clearest loser from the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was America."

 

It was a circus. Total embarrassment for the US. Of course, Trump acted like he was on one of his campaign rallies, where he is used to just lying about Dems, to be greeted with boos and fists shaking. Newsflash: A debate is not a campaign rally. Unfortunately, Biden took the bait. Although if he hadn't, he probably would have looked even weaker. There appears to be no escaping from the Jerry Springer-like reality TV show.

 

Was Trump behaving any differently than when he was a candidate? Why were you shocked?

Perhaps, you were shocked at sleepy Joe standing up and talking for a whole 90 minutes? There's no telling what a little blue pill can do

 

From the link:

"... if Mr Trump was re-elected in November, "this dark, horrifying, unwatchable fever dream will surely be the first line of America's obituary." "

I found an interesting link in the OP's article:

https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54350219

Biden did okay, but just okay in my opinion. It's hard to ignore a two year old having a tantrum, but he managed to look we the people in the eye from time to time, often while Trump ranted off screen. There were a couple of small gaffes, but nothing to indicate any lack of mental acumen, as Team Trump has been trying to get us to believe for months now.

Trump, on the other hand, behaved just as expected. He agreed to the debate rules, but refused to follow those rules, like the child he is. Wallace tried to keep him on track by telling him several times that he "was going to like" the next topic or question, which I saw as molly coddling a toddler. He was rude, nonstop, unchecked, ranting and raving whenever Biden said a truth that made him uncomfortable, deflecting and obfuscating as much as anyone possibly could. He came off as desperate.

After nearly four years in office, the American people, and the rest of the world, should be able to clearly see Trump for what he is: a flim flam man, a carnival barker, a BS artist who never did anything in business that didn't involve cheating someone or gaming some system. It's how he rolls, it's how he was taught.

What all of us can also see is that running for president, something he initially did for publicity and money, was the single biggest mistake he ever made in a life full of mistakes.

 

My friend,

It was rowdy, the biggest surprise of the night being sleepy Joe looking animated. Bravo, sleepy Joe!

 

Biden lost his train of thought on multiple occasions and when he did he told trump to shut up or called him a name. That was coached.

He even forgot the question he was answering twice.

 

Agree completely. Interesting article on the fact check.

I'm reading for our far right posters that Trump dominated. That's not how I see it. Trump had a 90-minute temper tantrum. The only way for Joe to "dominate," in the way republicans want, was to scream even louder, jump up and down screaming, etc. He showed a lot of restraint.

 

Hypocritical BRITS! they've been the laughing stock of the world for years and they have the Gall to criticize our Politics.

 

I dread having to hear all the sarcastic comments I'll be hearing from my German friends later this week. Worse, in all likelihood, everything they say will be TRUE....

My prediction yesterday turned out to be true -- the whole thing turned into an out-of-control "axe-fight", and it did so even faster than I thought it could.

Future debates between these two must (MUST) be conducted with each of them in a separate, sound-proof booth where each can LISTEN to the other, but not (NOT) reply immediately. Each one speaks but the other one is INAUDIBLE while the other person is speaking. They must not (NOT) speak directly TO each other. That's the only way we can avoid another debacle like the one last night....

 

Take note, Pollycy, this is completely self-inflicted. We all saw the reality TV show already four years ago, when Trump brought Clinton's accusers to the debate. Back then, people thought it was cute and voted for him in droves. Now, where did it get us? The laughing stock of the world with no end in sight. If he gets another four years, we get gutter-level theater EVERY week. Are you ready?

 

Last night's debate gave me a headache

That said, Chris Wallace stood tough in all that !!!

 

I don't understand why they don't have the ability to shut off Mics during these debates, that would force Politicians to follow the rules they agree to.

 

Who wouldn't lose their train of thought with Trump's constant interruptions? I'd like to see you try it.

As for coaching, at least Biden can be coached. Trump, on the other hand, can't even stick to agreed upon debate rules. He acted like a toddler having a tantrum. He seemed absolutely desperate to me.

 

Yes. Did you hear him tell Chris, "I don't even know which rant to respond to."

Exactly right. I think almost anyone would lose their train of thought while being screamed at by a lunatic. He did okay-ish under the circumstances, but agree the loser of the debate was the United States.

 

This tweet cracked me up:

James Woods
@RealJamesWoods

President Trump crushed his opponent Chris Wallace head to head in the debate. There was also another fellow wandering around muttering to himself.

10:24 PM · Sep 29, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

 

It’s funny trump didn’t lose his train of thought when he was interrupted. Which by the way, while trump may have interrupted more, Biden interrupted trump in literally every segment that it was Trumps turn to speak except for two.

 

Who cares what lesser nations think? Perhaps they should improve themselves to our level and their opinions would matter...

 

I think Mark Cuban and Kanye West would make better candidates than the two we have nominated as a nation. Disgusting!

 

why bother with the other 2 debates??

trump will not and can not follow the rules

Biden was not innocent and his played a part but trump surely started it ..

how is a father supposed to respond when a scumbag goes after his offspring??

trump set the tone and biden had no alternative to getting down and dirty just like donald

last nights $hit show was a circus

the next debate will be even worse and be a 2 ring circus

and the final episode will be a 3 ring circus for sure

sadly, the wrong circus was closed down

I say bring back Ringling Brothers and cancel the presidents

 

Some have suggested longer debates (4 hours) so each candidate has ample time to speak.

Some have suggested having a way to turn off microphones so candidates can't interrupt or speak over the other one.

Some have suggested that Wallace wasn't as strong as he needed to be.

Do you think any or all of those would help rein in the candidates for debates #2 and #3?

Do you think either or both candidates would agree to such terms?

I'm trying to get at HOW we can make it possible to avoid these issues in future debates?

 

The second debate is town hall style, so I want that to happen.

Trump has two choices - scream at people for asking him a question, or put some big-boy pants on and engage in intelligent discussion. Either is fine with me, really. It won't be good for Trump if he screams at voters. He may not be able to control himself, though.

 

What is by far the more realizing scenario that was exposed during the "debate" was the fact that tRUMP is an anarchist. While
he stood right in front of the United States citizens and declared that he is about to ruin the Republic.
His forever and constant yelling about "fake "news and how poorly he is always treated is nothing but pure propaganda.
His cohorts buy into his deluge of narcissistic stupidity since his first announcement of running for office.