I am actually worried about Hillary doing well in a debate with Trump

[nadine_mn]

Last edited Sat Jul 30, 2016, 04:45 PM - Edit history (1)

Not at all worried that she knows her stuff and could wipe the floor with him with facts, policies, real plans etc

But suddenly I am reminded of the Gore/Bush debates - sighing Gore. You know that feeling when you can't believe someone is THAT stupid and it's so hard to not roll your eyes and say "seriously?? do you not hear the words coming out of his mouth?"

I am worried that Clinton may snap in the face of such stupidity or come across as know-it-all bully. Trump somehow comes across as the underdog (crazy I know), and way too many people view intelligence as a minus.

To stand across the stage from a ranting lunatic who can only say "believe me" or "only I can fix it" and not just reach out and smack the orange off his face is going to take superhuman effort IMO.

I am not even saying this to be funny or tongue in cheek...Gore had that look on his face that everyone on the left was thinking at the time "Bush is an idiot, how can I lose to him". That really did sink some of his poll numbers.

She needs to borrow Obama's anger translator for the debates.

ETA: Please do not mistake this as a slam on Hillary - it isn't that in the least. I am picturing a question on foreign relations and Hillary as a former Sec of State - who knows better than anyone the importance of international diplomacy - having to listen to him talk about backing out of our NATO obligations. She knows this isn't a policy difference, this would have devastating effects to our foreign relations. Holding back frustration at such reckless rhetoric when she KNOWS how wrong he is, I just think anyone (male or female) would have a hard time not telling him off.

[Xipe Totec]

1. She's handled far worse with poise and grace. nt

[TheBlackAdder]

59. Make his head explode. People with BPB are short-circuited if you don't let them change topics.

.


They will always try to redirect when they are caught in a lie or will be exposed as a fraud.

If you don't allow the redirect to occur, on the third failed attempt they will completely lose their shit!


.

[GaYellowDawg]

2. I don't believe she did much of that, if any, during the Benghazi hearing.

And that was 11 hours of Trumpian level fuckery.

[nadine_mn]

14. That gives me some confidence sure... but the optics were in her favor

for low information voters I mean - she was one woman against a panel of men... that looked like ganging up on her to even some conservatives.

But somehow, Trump gets sympathy and can play the underdog card and people buy it. It just blows my mind.

It is not ever about her decorum and her intelligence - it is the fact that some voters will get that Trump Drunk (to use a phrase I saw earlier)

Eh, to be fair she isn't going to win over any Trump supporters, and I think most of America has their mind set by now.

[pnwmom]

58. My only fear is that he'll be too afraid to debate her. n/t

[TexasBushwhacker]

3. They generally do a lot of practice debates

I think she takes him seriously, threat wise.

[exboyfil]

30. Who is the DNC going to stand in for Trump?

I know some 16 year old white supremacist blogger.

[FSogol]

44. Rabid terrier?

Sorry terriers.

[Hoyt]

4. I think she will handle him with aplomb. If necessary, she will kick his ass.

But, right wingers love his crap and we don't really know how many of them are out there and will turn out.

[NurseJackie]

5. Her debate performance with Bernie gives me confidence...

... that she will do equally well with Donald Trump.

[nadine_mn]

7. Bernie wasn't an idiot - you could actually argue policies

It is the fact that there will be a serious question, she will give a serious, well-thought out answer and then you have that idiot puffering away.

You can't even have a discussion with him, much less a debate.

[NurseJackie]

25. I know. She'll keep her cool. She won't sigh or roll her eyes. She'll ...

... answer the questions, provide the details and plans and ideas, explain her philosophy, just as she always has. At worst, if he says something laughable or absurd, she may laugh out loud. Or if he insults her, she may react appropriately.

But I anticipate that it will be one very long version of Obama's "please proceed, Governor" moment. She'll just let him talk and make an ass of himself.

You're right, it won't be a "debate" the way we normally think of a debate. It will just be an exhibition of knowledge and understanding and diplomacy. One candidate has it, the other doesn't.

[Mr Maru]

57. Of course Bernie's not an idiot. That's why/how comptetion agains him has sharpened her.

When you learn to ski the black diamonds and make it through well, the green trails are a relaxing, scenic tour.

[okasha]

6. She handled 11 hours of the Benghazi inquisition.

She can deal with 90 minutes of the Yam.

[NurseJackie]

26. This is the definitive answer. Yes. Thank you.

[AgadorSparticus]

47. EXACTLY!!!

[jcgoldie]

8. Hillary will be well coached for that and...

Those people who view intelligence as a minus as you said are not on the fence. They are the 35% who will be voting for Trump regardless of what dumb shit he says.

[rug]

9. Worry about trump He's never had a one on one debate.

[nadine_mn]

21. But you know that the moderators won't at all stop him

or try to keep him on track. The GOP debates, everyone was acting a fool with the name calling and talking over each other.

They will be asked a question like how to help the student loan crisis - Hillary will have a normal answer and Trump will say something like "I like pizza" and the moderators will just move on.

[rug]

23. I don't know that. But I do know, if they don't, Hillary will.

[GoCubsGo]

10. I'm not at all worried.

She is a mother, and a grandmother of newborn and a two-year-old. She knows how to deal with toddlers throwing tantrums.

[treestar]

43. LOL this ^^^^^^^^^^

[timlot]

11. She handled nothing but men. Trump when face a strong female "Who would vote for a face like that".

That might fly in a repug primary, but in a general. I don't think so.

[renie408]

12. For one thing, she is a woman.

She has had to deal with blowhard, asshat men and appear to NOT think they are blowhards and asshats her whole life.

For another, she appears to be extremely disciplined. I think that if she makes up her mind to go into those debates with the goal of being the sane and reasonable candidate and making Trump look like a whackadoodle, she will.

And lastly, I think he is going to try to get out of debating her cause he knows she will cream him.

[nadine_mn]

18. Lol ok fair point - she is used to asshat men

She has been so disciplined for so long... I have no fricking clue how she does it.

This is why I could never be in politics, when faced with idiocy I snap. And esp with liars - like when Trump said he never said he was going to hit a few DNC speakers, he said he stated he would hit them verbally. Nooo he didn't - it's right there, on video. That is the kinda shit that makes me have to take a few deep breaths.

I guess I am using the 'reasonable person' standard taught in law school - and a reasonable person would snatch that limp ferret off his head and smack him with it.

[JI7]

13. my problem is the media. the republicans will harp on something to be outraged about

And the fucked up media will run with it.

That's what happened to gore. Republicans kept lying and attacking him and the fucked up media would go along.

But there are differences this time with social media being available and ClinTon team has been pretty with things do far.

[nadine_mn]

15. Exactly! MSM loves Trump and will froth at the mouth

to come up with some fucked up poutrage.

I hope that with the rise of independent media on the internet, it will counter some of the bullshit

[Thrill]

16. He wasn't that good in the Repub debates

He got away with it tho. Guys like Christie aren't there to beat up on Cruz and Rubio

[Arkansas Granny]

17. Relax, she'll do fine. This ain't her first rodeo.

When she gets through with Trumpkin, he won't know what the he'll happened.

[nadine_mn]

19. I hope so...like I said, I remember those Gore Bush debates

and how Gore was portrayed like an asshole because he could string a sentence together.

[renie408]

22. I think that will happen to a degree.

She is not a warm and fuzzy person publicly. For all I know, she is Gamma Hilly to her grandkids and she gives them piggy back rides and bakes them cookies.

But publicly, she appears focused, disciplined and effective. While EXACTLY the traits you want in a President, they can be offputting to the general public.

BUT... I bet if YOU remember those debates, SHE remembers them, too. This is the culmination of an entire life spent in public service. I am thinking she is going to be crazy on her game from here on out and that includes during the debates, too.

[oswaldactedalone]

20. She had better be ready

to defend his Benghazi and email attacks. That's all he has and he'll throw the kitchen sink at her with any possible angle on this. Hoping she'll have a stash of one liners ready for the Traitor and will review President Obama's first debate with Rmoney to understand that these debates aren't as much about policy as they are well-timed and well-phrased one liner bombs that people will remember. Best example I can think of is Bentsen vs. Quayle with his JFK ass kicking quote.

She better be well-prepared and stay composed at all times.

[procon]

24. C'mon, you think a dolt like Trump is going to make Hillary "snap"

after she has spent years facing some of the worst despots in the world, and toying with stupid Republicans?

Seriously, you actually think she's unable to main her usual calm, dignified aplomb and will suddenly go off character and behave like pouty teenage girl and have a meltdown over Trump's expected assholery?

I'm going to point out out ridiculously sexist it is to paint her just as Trump and company views women, as weak, flighty, temperamental, bitchy, immature, bimbos, who aren't fit for public office. It's far more likely that Trump will launch into one of his usual apoplectic fits of temper, and he will "snap" because he acts like that every time he's on camera.

[nadine_mn]

29. Excuse me? Perhaps you need to reread my OP

In no way did I suggest she was weak, flighty, temperamental or whatever else bullshit you accused me of.

My point is 1) her intelligence and calm demeanor could come across as "know-it-all". That is why I reference the Gore/Bush debates. It would come across this way to low information voters who believe that Bush was a great president to go have a beer with.

Since I compared her upcoming debates to those of Gore, and how Gore was faced with an idiot, I am not sure how that came across as sexist. Last time I checked, Gore was a male.

2) I referred to her decorum as superhuman. Is that sexist? I, as a woman, don't consider myself flighty or bitchy or whatever. But I do get pissy when faced with a bald faced liar and an idiot. Am I not allowed to get upset when around jackasses? Because I am a woman? Because I was putting MYSELF in her shoes and how I would feel when put in the same situation.

So politely - fuck off.

This has absolutely nothing to do with her being a woman. I am an educated woman. In law school I had to face too many idiots in mock trials (male and female) and when faced with bullshit, I called them out on it. This was frowned upon.

Which is why I say I don't know how she does it.

[thelordofhell]

27. Some people actually think sarah palin won debates

There will be idiots who think trump will win one too..........

[athena]

28. Trump is the one who should worry.

It's much more likely that Hillary will push his buttons in such a way as to make him snap and make a total fool of himself. Hillary is well aware of how even the tiniest facial movement on her part can be used by the media to make her look bad. She has been attacked by the media for decades; he hasn't. She is also aware of how insecure Trump is. She will manage to irritate him to pieces while appearing completely civil, gentle, and innocuous.

[athena]

38. In fact, thinking about it more,

I think Hillary will be at a huge advantage during the debates. People don't like to see a woman be bullied by a man. Women can't stand it, and even macho men who are not sexist don't like it. Trump won't be able to help himself; he'll make eye movements that dismiss her, hand movements that interrupt her, and he will in general display body language that suggests bullying and misogyny.

[exboyfil]

31. Over/under on the B word or

even the C word being used by Trump.

[Snotcicles]

32. Picture a bodyguard beside her between them, leering at Trump. nt

[Princess Turandot]

33. Watch the 10 hour Benghazi hearings and take heart...she's not going to 'snap' because of Trump...

or act like she thinks the election is in the bag. She sweats every detail, and she views Trump as a genuine danger to the US and the world, not as the mediocre frat-boy that 2000 Bush was.

Hillary has vastly more experience than Gore did when he ran for the Democratic nomination and the presidency. (I don't recall if he and Bradley even debated much because Bradley dropped out pretty quickly.) She has participated in numerous debates in which she's done just fine, been questioned by committees of right-wing men who hate her, participated in high level/profile meetings around the world as secretary of state, and dealt with more than a few bonafide asshats.

Trump coming across as a ranting, angry guy in the debates is not going to help him with that many voters. During a presidential debate, most normal voters actually do want to see the candidates acting 'presidential'. Also, it would not surprise me if the Clinton-Kaine team is already seeking advice from a behavioral scientist or two about dealing with Trump. Those 'little man' comments specifically coming from high-powered women, are directed at him more so than the voters, I think. If he flips out and starts trying to personally insult her during the debate, as he regularly did during the Republican debates, he won't help himself. And if he tries to insult her because she is a woman, he'll lose even more of the women's vote than he's losing now.

[nadine_mn]

37. She is so smart and has prepared so long for this

And she has handled herself so well under decades of criticism and outrageous accusations, ridiculous hearing etc. So on the one hand, of course that give me confidence that she will do well.

The 'snap' part of my comment was really just thinking of how I would feel and why I said I have no idea how she does it. I mean seriously, how much more of this bullshit can one human take?

[Cosmocat]

34. She won't - see Benghazi hearings

she rises to these kinds of moments.

HOWEVER, the media WILL wait for whatever completely irrelevant thing the right wing will desperately cling to like a "sigh" to try to handicap her performance.

[helpisontheway]

35. My fear is that expectations are so low fir

Trump. If he manages to spit out talking points he wins according to the media. Plus low informations voters love the short phrases.

[beachbumbob]

36. No reason to be concern...did you miss Hillary performance in front

Of the witch hunt committee?

Trump has no understanding of anything....easily loses his cool...All Hillary has to do is let trump dig his hole...

[KT2000]

39. Did you see the Benghazi hearings?

Not a problem.

[relayerbob]

40. Did you watch even part of the Senate witch hunt?

She's going to clean his clock.

[lapfog_1]

41. It is my firm belief

That as the first debate starts, Trump will walk over and attempt to put handcuffs on Hillary and execute a citizens arrest. The secret service will eventually stop it and the debate will be canceled.

No further debates will happen.

The right wing will go nuts! The rest of us will be appalled.

[Trust Buster]

42. Here's how I see it. Picture Trump as a boxer. In the early primary debates, Trump swung and

swung while his Republican opponents stayed just outside his arm's length. Then a funny thing happened. Due to the fact the Right wing media had pushed vitriol so much in the previous years, many in the Right wing base were conditioned to respond to this petulant child like Trump and, therefore, his opponents watched Trump rise in the polls. The Republican opponents had no choice but to move in closer on Trump and swing puch for punch. Ergo, comparing hands to penis size.

Hillary does not shoulder the burden of the ignorant Republican base. She can remain at arm's length from Trump during the debates. Concentrate on substantive policy. She is appealing to the Left and the Center and not to the crazy train. Trump will respond by swinging wilder and wilder. The difference will serve as a stark illustration to the electorate.

[LostinRed]

45. Lol I think that's an unlikely scenario

No matter what you think about W he WAS likable Trump is not. It was Gore invading W space that turned off voters. Anyway I like the idea I read that Clinton should use a made up acronym for an agency and let trump take the bait

[athena]

46. I never saw W's likability.

He always seemed annoying to me. I would have much rather had a beer with Gore than with W.

[nadine_mn]

54. lol - love the made up acronym

What was it he said one time - Department of the Environment or something stupid like that

People really find Trump charming - I don't get it

[Shankapotomus]

48. When they go low

We go high

[lonestarnot]

49. Someone will have to body slam roadkill to keep him the fuck quiet when it is Hillary's turn to

speak. He'll try to bully his portly ass around. She can handle his ignorance. He'll look like a busted shit eating dog.

[MoonRiver]

50. Talk about looking for trouble.

No way will Hillary not wipe the floor with that infantile idiot. Try to find a video of her debate with Lazio and you will understand. She's a master at dealing with bombastic, ego driven men/children.

[nadine_mn]

55. Its not so much looking for trouble, it is just I remember how I thought

Gore would whup W in a landslide. To me there isn't even a choice for election day - for Dems, Gop or Independents...and the fact that the polls are close at all scares the crap out of me.

I keep thinking I am missing something - how can his poll numbers go up? How many bigoted racists or people determined to vote against their best interest can there possibly be in this country?

It is like having a choice between taking a relaxing ride home in a luxury car vs driving off a cliff in a Pinto.

[MoonRiver]

56. You worry too much. Gore was a wimp compared to Hillary.

And as much as I despised Dimson, he was not a raging lunatic, like Rump. Hillary has this!

[yurbud]

51. oddly, I have liked Hillary most over the years when she has snapped

I don't think Obama has snap in him. He was lucky to run against two guys who acted like pre-Baby Bush Republicans.

If Gore has snap, his advisors wrongly convinced him to keep it in check.

A debate between a Democrat and a Republican is like the prosecution and defense in the OJ trial.

The prosecution acted like reasoned, measured, college professors.

The defense acted like a Pentacostal preacher halfway through a sermon about the fires of hell.

Trump is a couple of steps cruder than a preacher. He's like the preening professional wrestler before a match.

If Hillary can snap in a way that working class folks can relate to, she wins the debate. I think she can.

[milestogo]

52. Trump is pure arrogance - he prepares for nothing.

He's gotten by on style, not substance.

Hillary has been preparing for this moment all her life, and she is prepared.

I hope we get some hard core journalists asking tough questions. Hillary can handle it.

That said, some people aren't going to like Hillary no matter what she says, and some are going to like Trump because they identify with his bigotry. So if those people think Trump wins a given debate - it doesn't mean he did. It just means we have a lot of racist misogynist assholes in the voting population.

[BlueInPhilly]

53. But Gore won, remember?

HE WON and would have been our president if not for the Supremes!

[Todays_Illusion]

60. Do we think the debate moderators/technicians would snap his mic and lights immediately if he makes

some revolting personal attack? Or even something like he did to Jeb Bush in that debate?

[Ellen Forradalom]

61. Ask Ricky Lazio

how well being a bullying Hillary in a debate worked for him.