Mika Brzezinski: Cancel the Debates

[brooklynite]

Cosmopolitan

This first broadcast was an alarming display of the president’s ability to rage through the rules—of decency and of decorum—with nobody and nothing to keep him in check. As I type this, Bob Woodward is on Morning Joe saying that Donald Trump is “assassinating this presidency.” I would add that he firebombed the debate. And it could have been prevented.

Wallace and the Debate commission should not have allowed this man to kill the fairness that is fundamental to this system. We should not allow him to steal our process and trample on our civility.

We are better than this. This should not happen again. It was an attack on our values, and that attack was allowed to go on for 90 minutes. Shame.

My take? There should be no more debates this election cycle.

[Poiuyt]

1. Mika's not the only one suggesting this

[DonaldsRump]

2. For heaven's sake

Just authorize the moderator to cut the mic off for the offending party after one or two warnings. I can guarantee you that, while it will be applicable to Joe, it will never be used for Joe. Just Trump.

If I were the Biden campaign, I would PUBLICLY insist on this. It doesn't show weakness. Rather, it shows common sense.

There is no need to cancel the debate if this one simple fix is implemented.

[Caliman73]

11. I agree with you.

Cancelling the debate will give Trump something to brag about (even if it is not true or deserved). He will say that Joe is scared to debate him. I agree that the best way to do it is to empower the moderator to actually moderate the debate and cut of whoever's mic is violating the rules. If that happens, Trump would likely storm off the stage at some point. His whole "debate" strategy is to disrupt, interrupt, and try to dominate the time. He has no substance so he "pounds the desk". If he is not allowed to do that, he will quit and he will cry foul, like he always does.

[FakeNoose]

3. I hope the "sponsors" pull out

I mean, what companies would want their products advertised on this shitshow?

[brooklynite]

6. There are no sponsors or ad breaks.

[beachbumbob]

4. totally disagree, the more americans see this worthless bastard, the better

[Trumpocalypse]

5. Biden shouldn't take advice from a total Trump sycophant in 16

[Yavin4]

7. Broadcasting our dysfunction to the world emboldens our enemies.

And weakens democracy across the globe.

[crickets]

8. I was torn, but have made up my mind: to stop the debates is to let trump 'win' them.

He behaved this way precisely to get the debates cancelled, so that his blatant ignorance and lack of policy are not laid bare before the American people. As painful as the experience is going to be, the debates should go forward. trump should not be allowed to manipulate and break the system this way. Install a mute button for both candidates and continue on. Make trump do his moron dance again and again if that's the way he wants to play it. Make him own his complete lack of maturity and substance while Joe shows the world how a president should behave.

[moondust]

9. Was that the Dump plan?

Get the debates cancelled so he won't have to share the stage with anybody again, answer hard questions, or "debate" policy?

[SouthernIrish]

10. No

A big part of Joe is his character and integrity. He promised to participate in these debates. If he declined, the GOP would accuse him of being scared, hiding in the basement, or any other ridiculous thing they could conjure up.

Let the people see Trump in all his enraged glory. It sure won't gain him any votes, and may well change some minds about voting for him.

[2naSalit]

12. High level observers were saying as much

Immediately after the debate* was over.

[Roland99]

13. F that. Don't let the orange toddler get his way!