HOO WUN??

[*bfine32*]

(09-30-2020, 06:02 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: The wife and I (who are basically what I would call left leaning independents) watched the debate at our friends house. He and his wife are conservatives, fairly moderate on most issues, but have been pretty loyal Trump supporters, even though there's things they really dislike about him.

It was interesting as the debate went on that all 4 of us were basically having the same reactions. We all felt like Trump completely embarrassed himself, his party, his country and the Office. He reminded us all, and we commented on it many times, of a petulant child desperately seeking attention, mixed with a deranged old man with Tourettes.  I couldn't help but to ask my friends 'how can you support this guy' and they sort of just shook their heads, shrugged their shoulders and said 'well, as bad as he is, he's still better than the alternative'. I didn't really get into any farther with them, but I thought it was sort of weird that they had the candidates on the same screen...seeing the obvious differences between them and still thought that Trump was the better 'alternative'. 

Now, I'm not saying that Biden is a great candidate, or anywhere close to the best option on the left. I've never been a fan of his, and was disappointed he decided to run, because I knew he would end up with the nomination. I've always found Biden to be arrogant, full of himself and lacking the overall accomplishments to be that way. Having said that, I do like that he brings a ton of experience and is nowhere close to being 'far left' like Republicans are trying to paint him right now. They know he isn't, but that's the narrative they've been given to push. 

I thought Biden did a good job at remembering to talk directly to the people, and continuing to make his points even when being bombarded by Trump's constant interruptions and outbursts. Biden wasn't perfect, though. I understand why he told Trump to shut up, called him a clown, etc...but I still wasn't a fan. I also wish he had been more direct or given better answers at times, and would've been stronger in going after Trump in certain areas. All in all, given the situation, I thought he performed better than I expected him to and I think he clearly won the debate, for whatever that's worth. 

My friends wife confessed to my wife later on the phone that she's considering voting for Biden after what she saw last night. I wonder how many Trump supporters are feeling that way right now...saying they are still on board with Trump, while at least considering Biden? I'll say this too - a lot of people on the left don't make it easy for Trump supporters to openly talk about disliking things about him, having second thoughts or considering Biden. Instead, they want to point out how stupid it was to ever support Trump in the first place, or rub it in with the ole 'I told ya so'. 

These are 2 flawed candidates, but they are the only choices we have. The thing for me is that one candidate is a despicable human being, who only has his own interest in mind and couldn't care less about what's best for the country. I dislike Trump for many of the same reasons I disliked Bill Clinton, as far as who they are as human beings. The difference is, Trump doesn't have the intellect or ability to even 'act' Presidential, in order to disguise some of his worst attributes like Clinton did. Trump doesn't care about facts or reality...he cares about conspiracies, propaganda and the Fox news bubble. 

While I'm not exactly enthusiastic about pulling the lever for Biden, the fact that Trump is the 'alternative' makes it a helluva lot easier. For all of Biden's shortcomings and how annoying I find him to be...at least I believe that he's a pretty decent human being and actually cares about people other than himself. His performance last night, while far from perfect, was much more in line with what I want my President to be, how I want him to act and what I want the rest of the world to judge us by. 

First off: That's got to be the most anti-climatic "Me and the wife were at friend's house" story ever.

Secondly: If you live anywhere other than a swing state you have a choice. Vote, but vote 3rd party.