The headlines are brutal for Trump. He (and Wallace) are getting lambasted for their debate performance.
But the adage “All Biden has to do is not drool on himself, to win” is taking all the credit away from him, both as a candidate AND as a debater.
The headlines are mostly about two statements made:
1. “Will you shut up, man!” — Biden
2. “Proud Boys, stand back, stand by” — Trump
Joe Biden clearly delivered the STFU line. And is being mostly lauded for it.
But I haven’t heard anyone speak about how Biden ultimately helped Trump hang himself with that “Proud Boys” line.
Though he did……………
President Donald Trump refused to clearly condemn white supremacy at last night’s debate. This was no accident.
EMMA GREEN
7:34 AM ET
The question Chris Wallace posed to President Donald Trump was direct.
“Are you willing, tonight, to condemn white supremacists and militia groups and to say they need to stand down?”
The president shrugged his left shoulder. “Sure, I’m willing to do that. But I would say almost everything I see is from the left wing, not from the right wing.” Trump continued to say words, and to say nothing. “I’m willing to do anything. I want to see peace.”
Wallace pressed the question. “Well, then, do it, sir.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden jumped in. “Say it. Do it. Say it.”
For what seemed like the first time during last night’s debate, Trump paused.
“What do you want to call them?” Trump gestured at Wallace. “Give me a name, give me a name.”
White supremacists, Wallace answered.
….referring to the far-right group of self-described “Western chauvinists” who often engage in armed violence at protests.
“Proud Boys, stand back, and stand by,” Trump said.
And there you have it. A wise politician, and a sharp debater took Trump by the hand, led him to the cliff, and watched him jump right off.
I hear you saying, “Trump wanted to say something like that, to make him seem stronger, blah blah blah.”
But what I’m hearing more and more voters saying is: “I’m done with this chaos. I’m done with this racism. I’m done with a president who has no respect for our Constitution or our Democracy. A president who won’t even pledge a peaceful transfer of power.”
White women, both college-educated, and not, are walking away from this animal. And last night, Trump had to stop that exodus.
He didn’t.
Joe Biden made god-damned sure of it.