Well the problem is that their pride lead them into a false sense of security. No one NO ONE on their side saw this coming. Because of that, they are still reeling from the hit, there is no way to re position yourself from such a hit this late in the race. After the Ryan Biden debate, I will bet most people will not watch the 2nd debate, just wait for the highlights. They made up their minds, they saw for themselves what they all suspected. Clint Eastwoods chair metaphor was prophetic.
Clint Eastwood was more correct than anyone guessed. Once the history of this campaign is in the books, the ‘empty chair’ routine will be a seen as a seminal moment if not a forshadowing of things to come.