Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why Biden Should Not Debate Trump
The Atlantic ^ | April 16, 2024 | David Frum

Posted on 04/18/2024 9:08:04 AM PDT by lowbridge

A consortium of television networks yesterday released a joint statement inviting President Joe Biden and his presumptive opponent, Donald Trump, to debate on their platforms: “There is simply no substitute for the candidates debating with each other, and before the American people, their visions for the future of our nation.”

President Biden’s spokesperson should answer like this: “The Constitution is not debatable. The president does not participate in forums with a person under criminal indictment for his attempt to overthrow the Constitution.”

In their letter of invitation, the networks refer to presidential debates as a “competition of ideas.” But one of the two men they’re inviting turned the last election into a competition of violence: Trump tried to seize the presidency by force in 2021.

If Trump had not occupied the presidency at the time of his attempted coup d’état, he would very likely be already serving a lengthy prison term for his alleged crimes against the 2020 election. Earlier this month, a principal figure in the January 6 attack was sentenced to seven years in prison, the latest of many such serious convictions and sentences. Fortunately for Trump, the U.S. justice system is highly cautious, deferential, and slow when dealing with persons of wealth and importance. Although the followers have been punished, the indicted leader of the plot is unlikely to face trial before Election Day 2024. Until tried and convicted, Trump must be regarded as innocent in the eyes of the law.

But the political system has eyes of its own. No doubt exists about what Trump did, or why, or what his actions meant. Trump lost an election, then incited a violent mob to attack the Capitol. He hoped that the insurrectionists would terrorize, kidnap, or even kill his own vice president in order to stop

(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: biden; davidfrum; debate; dementiajoe; loserjoe; theatlantic; thespewlantic; trump
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-74 next last
To: lowbridge
“If Trump had not occupied the presidency at the time of his attempted coup d’état…”

LOL! An aimless group of unarmed protesters with no formal or informal directions to do anything but go home, from Trump himself, can never be called an “attempted coup d’état.”

That is truly funny!

21 posted on 04/18/2024 9:21:42 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JoSixChip

Trump HAS to remain silent on Johnson. It was just last week that Trump endorsed Mike Johnson (R-Ukraine).

If he flip flopped now, he would look bad. Besides, the Rat plan is working.... Trump is so tied up in court each day he can hardly stay awake and therefore has no time to give to SOH matters.

Just an opinion.... Not necessarily mine.


22 posted on 04/18/2024 9:22:52 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd (A truth that’s told with bad intent, Beats all the lies you can invent ~ Wm. Blake)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
The president does not participate in forums with a person under criminal indictment for his attempt to overthrow the Constitution

What a joke! Which of the two defies the Supreme Court? Which of the two violates the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 10th Amendments every day of his tenure?

Which of the two doesn't believe in the Electoral College?

Which of the two has been the recipient of bribes while in office? Which of the two scoffs at subpoenas?

Which of the two makes a mockery of immigration and border control?

I mean, a bigger joke of a canard could not be put forth. I cannot believe that bastard Frum would use that argument (oh, yeah -- I can believe such a poser would use it).

23 posted on 04/18/2024 9:23:43 AM PDT by Migraine ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: carcraft

People like Frum have a role to play. Despite his hyperbolic prose, he is a true fellow traveler. I’ve been a fan for quite a while now. He brings comedy to the table.


24 posted on 04/18/2024 9:24:25 AM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd
It was just last week that Trump endorsed Mike Johnson (R-Ukraine).

ROFL!

25 posted on 04/18/2024 9:24:47 AM PDT by Golden Eagle (Principles, not partisanship)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
a competition of violence: Trump tried to seize the presidency by force in 2021.

That is slander. There was no arrest, indictment or conviction for him about that lie.

We used to say film and tv stars and politicians could be trash talked as they were "in the public eye". How far does that go for a person being persecuted by lawfare? Hitting him when he's down is okay? Or does even Trump have rights. Dems are above the law but he is beneath the law.

26 posted on 04/18/2024 9:25:27 AM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

The things mentioned in the article would be great ammunition for Biden to use in a debate, so I’d say the Atlantic made the case for Biden debating Trump.


27 posted on 04/18/2024 9:25:45 AM PDT by cymbeline
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

Yeah. That’s the ticket.


28 posted on 04/18/2024 9:26:15 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler (THE ISSUE IS NEVER THE ISSUE. THE REVOLUTION IS THE ISSUE.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
"No doubt exists...."

The journalists are Mockingbirds, caged and fed by their Beltway Masters.

29 posted on 04/18/2024 9:26:54 AM PDT by blackdog ((Z28.310) Be careful what you say. Your refrigerator may be listening & reporting you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
"Trump lost an election, then incited a violent mob to attack the Capitol. He hoped that the insurrectionists would terrorize, kidnap, or even kill his own vice president in order to stop ..."


30 posted on 04/18/2024 9:28:12 AM PDT by plain talk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JoSixChip

Trump isn’t compromised. He has to be the cleanest of the clean. I am pretty well-behaved; but I could not have endured the fine-toothed exam by all the law enforcement arms of the federal government Trump has endured. I would definitely have been caught on some technicality or another, or maybe more.

I suppose everyone on FR, righteous though we may be, would have to say the same, if they were honest with themselves.


31 posted on 04/18/2024 9:28:41 AM PDT by Migraine ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: rlmorel

I have a neighbor who believes it. He will tell you that Trump ruled as dictator the first time around. When I ask him, if that’s the case then why is Joe Biden now president, is answer is always Trump tried, but failed in his coup attempt.


32 posted on 04/18/2024 9:29:03 AM PDT by redangus ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

While the Atlantic can occasionally publish a worthwhile opinion piece, it is 98 percent commie leftist lying propaganda garbage like this article

answer: it only takes one mistaken or Corrupt prosecutor (out of over 2500 in USA) to file a paper making ANYBODY “under indictment”

and being indicted does not mean you’re guilty of anything
nor does it even mean that a trial court might convict you

finally, even if PDJT were to be convicted of the charges, they would not suffice to disqualify him as a political candidate

What the Atlantic wants is a “debate” with Biden against Biden. Indeed, given how often he changes his “memory” about just about everything, that could be a very interesting “debate” —but since everyone knows Biden’s mental problems the event would not add anything to the political decision facing America this year. it would be more like an episode of FailArmy or SNAFU


33 posted on 04/18/2024 9:31:28 AM PDT by faithhopecharity (“Politicians are not born. They're excreted.” Marcus Tillius Cicero (106 to 43 BCE))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

David Frum should become a novelist; he’s really good at writing fiction.


34 posted on 04/18/2024 9:32:03 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ComputerGuy

Their role as employees of the democrat party is to scream from the mountain top all the vitriol they can, unfounded or not, with the hope that some will sink in or stick.


35 posted on 04/18/2024 9:33:13 AM PDT by redangus ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

David Frum is worthless as a butt plug.


36 posted on 04/18/2024 9:35:01 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

The whole article is “Horse-Hockey”


37 posted on 04/18/2024 9:36:28 AM PDT by two-edged-sword (Send in the Clowns used to be a song.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

Because Joey boy is senile.


38 posted on 04/18/2024 9:39:40 AM PDT by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

Biden sinks lower and lower every day.

He refuses to debate because he’s a coward.

Saying his opponent “tried to overthrow the constitution” is just something they say he did, not something he actually did.


39 posted on 04/18/2024 9:41:42 AM PDT by Mr. K (No consequence of repealing Obamacare is worse than Obamacare)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goodnesswins

So many lies spoken as if they’re proven fact. This is life in a fanatical socialist regime. God help us.


40 posted on 04/18/2024 9:41:50 AM PDT by Made In The USA (Ellen Ate Dynamite Good Bye Ellen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-74 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson