I swear after every debate we hear the same thing. “Imagine (INSERT CANDIDATE) on stage against Donald Trump.” If Joe Biden is all confused and bumbling through his answer, someone has to say “imagine Biden doing this against Trump!” Or if Mayor Pete says a ton of very poignant words…”he could go toe-to-toe with Trump!” Or when Harris was still in the race (and to a lesser extent Klobuchar) “she will crush Trump in a debate with her prosecutor skills!”
I am sick of it! Listen to me very carefully. IT WILL NOT MATTER! I do not care if Trump just stands there farting during the entire debate, it will not change a thing. Hillary Clinton beat him in every debate. She gave thoughtful answers and provided policy ideas. He would just say a few of his catchphrases and that would be it. Did it persuade voters? Not really. His supporters do not care (and the right-wing media will just declare him a winner anyway).
Debates barely move the needle for people in the primary, so it will not matter during the actual election. And honestly, do you think the people who are undecided will actually watch the debates? I mean, if you have sat through four years of this guy and went “eh, I am still unsure about things” then you have probably not been paying attention.
I think whoever the Democratic candidate is should agree to one debate. Hell, do it on Fox News. Instead, do rallies like Trump. Get out there and motivate people to vote. Remind them what is at stake.
And seriously, stop thinking any candidate versus Trump in a debate will make a difference.
