Why is this man smiling? Photo: Getty Images Though exceeding the standards of the surreal first presidential debate was not necessarily a difficult task, Thursday night’s event felt like an accomplishment. President Trump and Joe Biden engaged in normal-ish back and forth, moderator Kristin Welker kept things moving, and viewers came away un-tramautized, if not necessarily more informed. I spoke with Washington correspondent Olivia Nuzzi to get her takeaways from the evening.
Olivia: No. I see some idiotic commentary about Trump’s “new tone” tonight. That’s obviously never been true, any time any pundit has said it at any point over the five and a half years since Trump announced his candidacy. And overall I don’t think that even his most effective riffs attacking Biden will have any real impact. Unless there’s a secret Borat videotape of Biden sprawled on a bed, it’s just too late to negatively define him in a new way.
Olivia: It’s certainly possible! I think having guardrails on the debate probably helped Trump in the end, the same way that cable news refusing to air his coronavirus briefings in full helped him, or that refusing to air his rallies in full helps him.
Olivia: I think she was great. She’s a sharp and poised reporter and also a reporter’s reporter. She’s someone who is kind to you if you’re in a gaggle together. I think that’s part of why the rest of the press corps mobilized as we did to defend her, even though it wouldn’t matter if she sucked at her job — the way they attacked her would still be egregious.
clauirizarry Olivianuzzi So he basically did better with bowling bumpers.
Olivianuzzi I totally agree. He was excellent. He wasn’t manic like in the first debate. He gets my vote now.
Olivianuzzi nah
Olivianuzzi Guardrails didn't help Trump enough to keep him from losing favorability while Biden gained:
Olivianuzzi Olivia Nazi
Olivianuzzi Thank Arceus for those damn mute buttons. Trump kept on script for 40mins then took off his mask midway through and screwed himself. While he was muted his body language was that of a petulant child who didn't get his way. He defeated himself tonight. Was his final chance too.
Olivianuzzi The media were blamed for showing too much of him in '16. Now it's too little? C'mon!
intelligencer Olivianuzzi You may ' think' whatever you like... how about some actual proof? Opining ain't facts!
Olivianuzzi Naaaaaah !!
Olivianuzzi
Olivianuzzi Its a damned if you do, damned if you don't type of situation
Olivianuzzi This is what RadioFreeTom says all the time - air these in FULL. They expose Trump for the fraudulent moron he is. Tom is absolutely right. Yes, it’s giving the Cheeto the airtime. But it’s airtime that shines a bright spotlight on his complete incompetence.
Olivianuzzi Trump now makes up new lie “I prepaid taxes in the millions!!”Ah haaa! Seriously pulled that gem out of his ass.Trump is so cheap he would never pre pay when he doesn’t have to! PREPAY!!Trump already bragged he doesn’t pay what he doesn’t have to. now prepay! That proves he lies
Olivianuzzi Not this angle though...
Olivianuzzi Helped or not, he lost it to Biden by an average 14.7 points in the reaction polls.
Olivianuzzi Trump!!!! realDonaldTrump 💪💪💪💪
Olivianuzzi What is your take on the post-Trump hit to ratings ?
Olivianuzzi Amazes me how weird his hair is.
Olivianuzzi Pass it on..... Trump is Pure Malarkey and a Traitor.....Vote Trump Out! TrumpIsARacist TrumpChinaBankAccount TrumpIsMalarkey VoteOutEveryRepublican VoteOutTrump VoteOutCorruptGOP BidenHarrisToSaveAmerica
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