Biden is criticizing the first primary debate as simply an "appearance"

[left-of-center2012]

Former Vice President Joe Biden is preemptively criticizing the first Democratic presidential primary debate as simply an “appearance” because of the short speaking time allowed to candidates.

He told reporters Tuesday in Iowa that because of the crowded field, “we’re told we have one minute to respond, one minute to speak.”

Biden says he’s going to “say why I’m running and what I stand for,” and suggested other candidates should do the same, warning them against tossing barbs at one another.

He says doing so would only make it easier for President Donald Trump to win a second term.

Many of Biden’s opponents haven’t adhered to that strategy, with a number issuing veiled critiques of the front-runner during a weekend political event in Des Moines.

https://apnews.com/9c8fce7543ed4ad7a657d9e2ebbf6c9c

[bearsfootball516]

1. He's not wrong, but there will be a LOT more debates to get more in-depth

And as the front runner, it's not like he's in danger of not making the cut for future debates.

[left-of-center2012]

2. "one minute to respond, one minute to speak"

That's 2 minutes each, times how many debaters?

That must be about 45 minutes right there.
And how long is the first debate?

[thesquanderer]

4. 10 debaters per debate.

So if it's 2 hours, that's 12 minutes total per candidate, minus the time it takes for the moderator to ask questions.

[StarfishSaver]

3. When I was working with a candidate on a campaign, during debate prep, we started walking him

through the format - "There'll be this number of questions for each candidate and you'll each have this amount of time for your answer and this amount of time for rebuttal," etc. He cut us off and said, "Yeah, I've already done the math. I'll be on the stage for 2 1/2 hours and will get to talk for a whole 5 minutes."

[shanny]

5. Does he not want to appear

with other candidates? They will have the same restrictions.

[left-of-center2012]

7. No

He did not say that.

[shanny]

8. I did not ask what he said.

[left-of-center2012]

10. You asked ...

"Does he not want to appear with other candidates?"

No. That is not what he said.

Have a lovely day.



Bye

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

16. Your comment is clear... I think Joe is willing to appear, but, only if he doesn't get vetted.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[shanny]

26. I agree.

I don't think he is a good campaigner and is running on his reputation/persona and nostalgia. The more he can avoid side-by-sides and press appearances the better for his campaign.

Case in point: activist or not, ambush or not, how can a seasoned politician be caught on camera wagging his finger in a woman's face? That's something Mommy does to a 4-yr-old. What was he thinking?

[tblue37]

27. Or that Jan Brewer does to Pres. Obama. nt

[shanny]

28. That one came to my mind too.

The troglodytes love that stuff; we don't.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. Yes, and I remember the tongue-lashing Jan Brewer got here on DU... and DESERVEDLY SO!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[LanternWaste]

29. I'm not surprised you inferred something that's not there.

Our biases and personal narratives often compel us to incorrectly translate the obvious statement into the tortured rationalization.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

33. I think you're confusing me with those who constantly criticize Bernie...

who can't manage to find even ONE good thing to say about him.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Indygram]

11. His sense of entitlement and assuming he has it in the bag is getting old

He started off as my first choice but the more he opens his mouth the less I like him.

[pnwmom]

14. It came across to me that way, too. Like he thinks it's a big waste of time,

to have all these other candidates getting introduced in a debate.

[qazplm135]

15. how is this that?

He's right, ten people per debate is too many.

Quite frankly, I think I'd have had five debates, one per weeknight, four per debate, with each of the top five candidates having their own night then the next five added in random order to the five nights, then the next five until we had four in each debate.

You'd get a good mix...with more time, and the lower ranked candidates would get more time and a chance to shine against a top five candidate, while the top five would get more time to make their case as well. EVeryone wins.

[dalton99a]

17. When the epiphany arrives, as it must

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and Joe will lead them

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

34. Same, though Joe started off as my 5th choice... he's now my 9th choice.

And he's about to be my 10th choice if Yang keeps up his excellent showing, while Joe continues to nose-dive, and thus leapfrogs him.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

35. You're right, Joe's no dope...that's why I'm a little surprised to see a little slow out of the gate

after starting a full length ahead of the field.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[highplainsdem]

9. He's correct.

[relayerbob]

12. I agree with not throwing barbs

They should all provide their own merits and plans. Looking good by making others look bad will only give the GOP ammunition. I will not support anyone in the primaries who thinks that attacking allies is a good plan for getting elected/

[mtnsnake]

13. This proves he's seriously worried he's about to get schooled by the other candidates

Sorry, Joe, but it's not up to you to make the rules.

[left-of-center2012]

19. Each candidate gets 2 minutes

Yep,
Biden mentioning that proves he's "seriously worried he's about to get schooled by the other candidates"
during their two minutes?

[mtnsnake]

20. I'm glad you agree

[left-of-center2012]

21. The idea that he's worried is laughable

Thus the emoji

[mtnsnake]

22. The idea that he's not worried is more laughable

Otherwise he wouldn't be trying to change the rules to suit him. No emoji needed.

[left-of-center2012]

23. No mention of him trying to change the rules

[ecstatic]

18. That's actually the perfect set up for him.

He's excellent with the zingers/ memorable one-liners. The candidates with detailed platforms are going to struggle.

Still, I really hope Biden and the rest take the debate seriously and actually prepare. I like and appreciate when a candidate prepares and puts forth some effort.

[Peacetrain]

24. He is right.. it is an introduction.. they have been so knotted up here in Iowa and NH

this will introduce a lot of people to the entire country.. Let them speak who they are and what they stand for.. I am all for it.. my guess though is Biden will be the magnet from both the other candidates in asides.. and "some" of the moderators who predicted Biden would be toast day 2 of his announcement.. its been hard on them

[NurseJackie]

25. He's absolutely correct. 120 minutes equals a MAXIMUM of 12 minutes per candidate to speak.

He's absolutely correct. 120 minutes equals a MAXIMUM of 12 minutes per candidate to speak... but we KNOW that's not going to happen.

During that 120 minutes, we'll have to sit through the network's pomp and circumstance, the introductions of the moderators and an explanation of how everything is going to unfold, the topic of the night, the rules, along with a parade of 10 candidates (applause-applause-applause) opening statements and greetings from each candidate (applause-applause-applause each time).

Will there be any commercial breaks?

THEN you've got to allow time for the moderators to ASK questions, and/or follow-up questions... that doesn't leave much time at all for ANY of the TEN candidates on stage to say very much.

Biden is correct. It's just an "appearance".

Biden says he’s going to “say why I’m running and what I stand for,” and suggested other candidates should do the same, warning them against tossing barbs at one another.

That is EXCELLENT advice, but, unfortunately that's not likely to happen... and I'll just leave it at that.

[peggysue2]

30. I don't see this as a criticism, simply a statement of fact

This will be an 'appearance,' an introduction at best with this many contenders.

It is what it is.

Until the cast of characters are winnowed down, we will not hear much in the way of substance. There's not enough time with this many players. Expect a sound bite take away and a sense of who makes an impression, stands their ground.

[left-of-center2012]

31. "I don't see this as a criticism"

Exactly.
Someone posted "He wants to change the rules!"

No. He just expressed an 'observation'.