Question of the day
Monday, Sep 26, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Atrios…
Things like debates have gotten so meta. There’s more talk of meta than of substance. Sure the debates are theater, and sure these days you can (though why should you have to? there’s a debate to watch!) click on a candidate website which gives you some policy information, but “we’ve” already spent a couple of weeks talking about the expectations game, and the game to game the expectations game, and the game to game the gaming of the expectations game, all of which is about impacting the post-debate pronouncements of pundits, who are making career choices themselves with these pronouncements. CNN has approximately 87 people on stage whose job it is to argue about what we’re supposed to think about the thing we watched 5 seconds ago based on arbitrary standards they cooked up 10 seconds ago. One of them should say “[expletive deleted] this” and throw down the mic, but, hey, people gotta eat.
* Arthur Brooks and Gail Collins…
Arthur: There was a famous paper a few years ago in The Journal of Politics in which the authors asked what effect the media experts who appear after a debate have on viewers’ opinions. After the 2004 debate in Tempe, Ariz., between Bush and John Kerry, they asked randomly sorted viewers who had seen no post-debate analysis who won. Forty-eight percent said Kerry. Then they asked another group who had seen the debate and NBC’s analysis who won. Kerry got 17 percent.
Gail: But what happened to that group afterward? I am thinking they went back to wherever they were before. After all, Kerry got 48 percent in the actual election.
* Rex Huppke…
The first debate of the 2016 presidential campaign will be held tonight, and I would like to preemptively express my outrage over how it will have been handled.
If there’s one thing we know for certain from this event that has not yet happened it’s that it will have been grossly unfair and biased toward (insert candidate’s name). Undoubtedly the American people will see this debate for the sham that it will have been, once it actually occurs, and they will respond positively to (aforementioned candidate) who will certainly have comported (himself/herself) with remarkable poise given the preposterously unjust circumstances (he/she) will, at that time, have faced.
* More snark from the Borowitz Report…
As the nation awaits the first faceoff between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on Monday night, more Americans are expected to self-medicate than for any other Presidential debate in history.
With over a hundred million people projected to watch the debate, roughly sixty million of them will be barely sentient after ingesting what they deem to be the necessary dose of intoxicants.
Davis Logsdon, of the University of Minnesota, estimated on Monday that the level of self-medication for the Trump-Clinton debate could be seven hundred per cent greater than for the first Obama-Romney debate, in 2012.
* The Question: Your thoughts on tonight’s debate?
- BIG R. Ph. - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:02 pm:
I’m going to the Cards game. Suite Tix!!
The debate will be more blah, blah, blah. The best we can hope for is, because of the large “Super Bowl” type audience that, maybe we will see good commercials!
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:04 pm:
I’m torn between watching a boring Monday Night Football game or reruns of the Big Bang Theory.
- illinoised - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:04 pm:
If Illinois had legalized marijuana by now, I think I could have handled watching the debate. This presidential race, more than anything else, has seemed like a reality show. I hate reality shows because they are not real in any sense of the word.
- A guy - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:06 pm:
He’ll be him. She’ll be her. More interesting and entertaining than the D Primary debates. Less than the GOP debates. A lot of dust will resettle wherever it was before the debate.
- Dave Dahl - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:07 pm:
“I’m not commenting today on politics.”
- Robert the 1st - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:08 pm:
People are watching because they’re cheering for Trump to say something really, really, stupid or for Hillary to collapse to the ground. My money is on the former. This is sad and scary.
- Jose Abreu's next homer - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:08 pm:
Battle of the Grandparents! This should be on after The Price Is Right.
- IllinoisBoi - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:10 pm:
Not gonna watch it AND gonna self-medicate.
- Honeybear - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:11 pm:
Going to a watch party. I’ll actually be more focused on socializing and schmoozing than the debate which I can hardly bring myself to think about. I think given the people I’ll be with they more than likely will be doing the same thing. Regardless, I’m quite anxious about it.
- AC - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:11 pm:
==The best we can hope for is, because of the large “Super Bowl” type audience that, maybe we will see good commercials!==
https://youtu.be/Bev4NZEFsCQ
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:11 pm:
I think Giant Meteor will be polling 5 points higher after it is over.
- d.p.gumby - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:13 pm:
I would like to see Hillary say after T-Rump’s first lie, “Donald, that’s lie number 1″ and then keep a running tally. At the end she can say in her closing, “Donald, I counted X number lies from you tonite.”
- stateandlake - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:15 pm:
May flip to the C-SPAN punditless version on breaks from MNF.
- Empty Suit - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:16 pm:
People will watch for the same reason they watch car races..they want to see the crash
- Last Bull Moose - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:17 pm:
God help the Republic!
I feel duty bound to watch. Cannot imagine what either could do to change my vote.
- NoGifts - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:19 pm:
I don’t think anyone is watching for informational purposes. Surely everyone must have seen enough of the two candidates by now.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:20 pm:
The MSM has already written their post debate analysis. They should just declare that Hillary won and publish them now.
- Huh? - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:24 pm:
Not going to vote for either one, so will not be wasting my time watching the “debates”. I will hear enough tomorrow on the radio.
- yeah - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:26 pm:
My thoughts on tonight’s debate are simple: Hey Owl, Any idea what is playing on HBO tonight? I’m not sure, but I may need to hit Family Video on the way home.
- HangingOn - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:28 pm:
I found a channel on my Roku that has only “Whose Line Is It” reruns. I’ll be doing that instead. My daughter got in trouble for repeating at school something Trump said, so I don’t even allow him on my tv anymore.
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:28 pm:
Well “VanillaMan, I’m sure Fox has their post debate analysis done already calling Trump the winner and Hillary a tool of Satan.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:28 pm:
It’s not going to happen. Something will come up in the Trump camp and he won’t be able to make it. He’ll blame Obama.
- FormerParatrooper - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:30 pm:
I will watch tonight, but not for the same reasons why I have watched previous debates. Tonight will be a study of reality television influence of the political process.
I doubt anything of substance will emerge. It is the trainwreck we cannot help but to watch.
- Stones - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:33 pm:
I’m going to watch but definitely not at a bar or restaurant.
- Annonin' - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:37 pm:
Mr Dahl hits the correct note in quoting the BigBrain visit with the media this a.m. He goes out to an event that he shows zip zero nada prep. then wanders throught some tired answers…skippin’ the tranporation locakbox ( from the guy who wants to build a tollroad down the middle of an interstate) refuses to say if he will even watch the debate, calls the notion his budget disaster is the cause of violence just “false and political spin” and that he craves becoming West Indiana.
Someone should run these videos in Chicago.
- Morningstar - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:37 pm:
My thoughts are that there won’t be much thought, yet at the same time, it will be over-thought.
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:37 pm:
If you haven’t made up your mind already between Clinton and Trump you’re either brain-dead or an Illinois GOP officeholder.
- illini - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:39 pm:
I will be watching but honestly do not know what to expect.
A friend sent me a link to a “Presidential Debate Drinking Game”. I am afraid that if I played the game according to the rules that I would be totally out of it by the time it ends. May just keep track of how many shots I would have had to down over that hour and half.
- AC - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:40 pm:
I expect the biggest, most watched, non-event of the year. Absolutely nothing memorable will happen, and not a single voter will be swayed by either performance.
- walker - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:40 pm:
My own GP told me he’s never seen so many patients asking for anti-anxiety medication, blaming the election.
He tells them to turn off the TV.
- a drop in - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:41 pm:
Not watching. Afraid I will sprain both middle fingers.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:42 pm:
Bloomberg TV is promising to fact check live on-screen during the broadcast. My guess is they give up or their system collapses after the first ten minutes or so.
If you’re a fact checker, this debate is what military folks call a target-rich environment.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:43 pm:
The entire debate tonight will be a basketful of deplorables with no redeeming of the participants.
- Cable Line Beer Gardener - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:50 pm:
The over analyzing of politics and sports has reduced me to an apathetic pile of pulp.
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:53 pm:
Things you couldn’t make up:
–Kim Janssen Verified account
@kimjnews
Trump Chicago fundraiser venue had Hastert room & a bar known as the “Eagle’s Nest,” like Hitler’s mountaintop lair http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-eagles-nest-trump-bolingbrook-0927-chicago-inc-20160926-story.html –…
- yeah - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 2:57 pm:
Dear Wordslinger, What is with this “either/or”? Let us not ascribe artificial limits on an individual’s ability or worth: Someone can be BOTH a State-wide office holder AND Brain-dead. Not mutually exclusive at all, with respect.
- Just Chilling - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:00 pm:
My wfe and I have other plans . . . .
- Chicago_Downstater - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:02 pm:
I don’t know who will win tonight, but my liver is definitely coming out the loser.
Bring on the intoxicants!
- Captain Illini - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:04 pm:
The more I learn about our president and his use of pseudonyms with Ms. Clinton makes me think that Banana Republic could sue for defamation of character…but I digress…
To the post, I’ll watch, probably self medicate, then catch up on the game.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:09 pm:
No way are we watching. We want to stay married.
- AlfondoGonz - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:10 pm:
I predict that both candidates will give direct, concise answers to the moderator’s questions. Neither candidate will deflect from a difficult question by attacking the other candidate’s stance on a issue that is, at best, tangentially related. After the debate, I predict those who strongly support one candidate will not find a way to defend everything their preferred candidate says while at the same time finding fault in everything the opposing candidate says.
I suppose it’s worth noting that I predicted the internet would be a passing fad. /s
- @MisterJayEm - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:14 pm:
“Your thoughts on tonight’s debate?”
Hard pass.
– MrJM
- simple mind - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:14 pm:
What!? Gary Johnson’s not going to be on stage?
Self medicate early and often.
At least the Bears are not playing tonight, that would involve great over self medication.
- Anti-m - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:16 pm:
Sigh, it’s only the first debate…there is not enough meds/alcohol/other numbing agents on the planet to get us to November.
- fed up - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:17 pm:
People tell me it is going to be a HUGE and AMAZING night with extravagance and the BEST people with the best words. I have no plans right now other than I will let those I’m with tell me what we are doing and if we are drinking what to drink. I can’t tell you want the plan is or what I may drink, but trust me, the people who will advise me are SMART people, they are WONDERFUL. You’ll be very pleased.
- Clark - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:18 pm:
The Falcons/Saints game is 100% more appealing since I’m trying to win my fantasy games this week…
- Team Sleep - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:20 pm:
I normally avoid folding laundry but I cannot wait to tackle that tonight.
- Belle - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:31 pm:
Mr Belle doesn’t have the interest in politics that I have and does not care for watching the debates. I plan on turning it on while I am explaining to him why I think moving to Mexico is such a good idea.
Does it really matter who wins the election? It obviously does but people have already shown their stripes and I don’t know if I can look some of my neighbors/family in the eyes anymore.
- RNUG - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:36 pm:
Should be an interesting slow motion train wreck. I strongly suspect I will exceed my doctor advised quota of medicinal liquids … probably in the first 15 minutes!
- Earnest - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:37 pm:
>Your thoughts on tonight’s debate?
Can’t get interested. I’ll skim an article on it tomorrow.
- John Gregory (ex-IRN) - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:40 pm:
The threshold for third-party candidates is artificially high and should be changed. I wouldn’t argue for including every candidate, or even every candidate with ballot access to 270 electoral votes (six candidates would qualify under those standards). But the 15 percent mark is only in the interest of the two major parties, whose concerns shouldn’t be the priority for these debates.
- A guy - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:44 pm:
First question out of the box is going to be about Aleppo.
- gdubya - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 3:44 pm:
Trump is going to exaggerate about his abilities more than you think he will.
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 4:05 pm:
Not watching–the new season of LONGMIRE was released on Netflix on Friday and I need to watch it.
I also can’t listen to NPR in the mornings on the way to work–the length of this process is terrible. Listening to BBC Radio dramas on my phone instead. May move to Britain just so I can experience normal news with only a periodic interruption for a six-week national election. Wish we had that…
- Bogey Golfer - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 4:09 pm:
The over/under as to when Trump is no longer Presidential tonight is 45 minutes - I’ll go with the under.
- Seal Team 6 - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 4:17 pm:
I will be hosting a watch and drinking game party. I cannot wait for the festivities to begin! Surely HRC was born for this and will dispense of this nonsense expeditiously. May I remind readers, Trump has never been elected or even run for office. I do not think President of the U.S. should be an entry level position for anyone. Besides, he is playing a different game and only interested in boosting his brand, not actually being POTUS. I hope she says lie, liar, scam, scam artist, conman, con-artist every chance she gets, early and often. I would also like to hear all about Trump University and Trump Casinos, as well as fresh and new Trump-involved scandals. Bottom line, I want her to take him out in the first round. This election cycle already feels like an eternity and I am an avid politico all day, every day.
- cdog - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 4:18 pm:
I will watch, and have been looking forward to it.
For Hillary, it will be a test of stamina. No stool on which to lean, no coughing or “potty” breaks.
Will she have a recurrence of mysterious symptoms that keep conspiracy theorists busy?
How will she respond to Trump’s disrespect? Will she be yelling, will she talk softly?
Will she appear to have more weaknesses than strengths to independent voters that are watching?
Will Trump be able to appear Presidential and still engage with razor sharp cut downs?
Will he be able to differentiate himself as a non-Wall St outsider, and paint Clinton as the insider?
Etc, etc.
I must say, however, I am mildly disappointed that Bill’s original “bimbo” is no longer going to be in the front row. /s
- Wensicia - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 4:26 pm:
I’m not interested in watching the political version of WWE Smackdown, which rates higher on authenticity at this point.
- yinn - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
I’m gonna go with the circus I know, and attend a city council meeting. Will catch highlights in the a.m.
- Mama Retired - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 5:00 pm:
Trump will take stabs at Hillary, and she will take stabs at Trump. Hillary will win as the most knowledgeable and Trump will win as the biggest bully.
- jerry 101 - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 5:03 pm:
Are You Ready for Some Football?!?!
Actually, I’m not even watching football because Saints vs Falcons. Yuck.
This election season has me depressed. I’d like to watch something comparatively uplifting. So, I’ll watch some old episodes of The Walking Dead on netflix.
- Amalia - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 5:20 pm:
It’s historic and I’m a wildly happy and excited Hillary supporter. cannot wait to witness this!
- cover - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 6:06 pm:
Only 2 weeks from puck drop, and free NHL Center Ice - so I can watch Canadian TV feeds that have absolutely no campaign commercials!
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 6:27 pm:
I want to see a woman kick a man’s tail tonight.
I strongly support equal pay for women and am so against sexual harassment at work and Trump’s attitude that if a woman doesn’t like the harassment, she can leave the job. That’s deplorable.
- G'Kar - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 6:30 pm:
I tried to post earlier about the choice between the debate and going to Obed and Issac, Peoria grand opening, but it showed up. I’m posting this from O and I, so that illustrates my choice!
- Bluecollargal - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 7:33 pm:
It has become Reality TV. How many people watched Trump’s show? They will probably tune in tonight.
I stopped on way home to buy a bottle of Kim Crawford.
Will be fascinating if only for first time a woman debates a man for the position of President of the United States of America. That alone is historic.
- RNUG - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 7:43 pm:
- G’Kar -
You probably made the right choice.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 10:00 pm:
Trump tried to hit Clinton on stamina at the end of the debate, but he looked like he was a little slumped or leaning. They showed close-ups, so I couldn’t see more of his body, but he looked like he was leaning.
- Mama Retired - Monday, Sep 26, 16 @ 10:05 pm:
I think Hillary won the debate. My friend thinks Trump won. I guess its all in the eyes of the beholder. You see and hear what you want to see & hear.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Sep 27, 16 @ 8:54 am:
Probably the most accurate summation of the debate is that neither side scored a knockout blow.