r/politics • u/wsj The Wall Street Journal • 4d ago

I oversee the WSJ’s Washington bureau. Ask me anything about last night’s debate, where things stand with the 2024 election and what could happen next. AMA-Finished

President Biden’s halting performance during last night’s debate with Donald Trump left the Democratic Party in turmoil. You can watch my video report on the debate and read our coverage on how party officials are now trying to sort through the president’s prospects. 

We want to hear from you. What questions do you have coming out of the debate? 

What questions do you have about the election in general? 

I’m Damian Paletta, The Wall Street Journal’s Washington Coverage Chief, overseeing our political reporting. Ask me anything.

All stories linked here are free to read.

proof: https://imgur.com/a/hBBD6vt

Edit, 3:00pm ET: I'm wrapping up now, but wanted to say a big thanks to everyone for jumping in and asking so many great questions. Sorry I couldn't answer them all! We'll continue to write about the fallout from the debate as well as all other aspects of this unprecedented election, and I hope you'll keep up with our reporting. Thanks, again.

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38

u/AssassinAragorn Missouri 4d ago

Well, I'll go with the title. Where do things stand with the 2024 election, and what could happen next?

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u/wsj The Wall Street Journal 4d ago

Smart questions if I do say so myself!! Before the debate, Trump appeared to be slightly ahead of Biden, leading in almost all of the key swing states. Biden was still within striking distance though. We’ll all be paying special attention to the post-debate polls (which will start coming out very soon). If even Democrats are saying Biden’s night was a mess (which they are), then it can’t help his polling. Trump didn’t have a dominant performance, but contrasted with Biden - side by side on the stage - it helped Trump tremendously because Biden couldn’t effectively attack.

What could happen next?

  1. Fundraisers could flee, causing panic and forcing Democrats to decide whether to try and nudge Biden off the ticket.
  2. Trump’s Supreme Court ruling on immunity Monday could change the focus back to his legal problems.
  3. The race could slip further from Biden’s reach.
  4. He could mount a massive comeback.

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u/Mindless-Ad-9803 4d ago

Is Trump given a pass on the mountain of lies and wins the debate; even without answering almost any questions the public is interested in hearing? Or does the media not have a responsibility to the public to report actual truths?

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u/UnstoppablyRight 4d ago

It's never about the questions, it's not a test.

It's whoever is more appealing on stage. It's theatre baby

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u/KingHavana 4d ago

Like the Kerry vs Bush debates. Kerry proved absolute mastery over every single topic, and Bush proved his ignorance. However Kerry was accused of looking like a "know it all". People declared him the loser.

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u/regmaster 4d ago

Damn, and to think hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Middle Eastern folks could still be alive today if Kerry didn't come off as such a know it all. God damn we're so stupid.

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u/Mindless-Ad-9803 4d ago

Theatre? Or are you just looking for the circus. Trump will give you a show! So much fun, look at that, ooo so magical. Wow, I never thought such a fat ass could walk the tight rope. Wow! Oh no! He just killed his political opponent like he said he would! Ooo! An elephant.

I have more faith in the average American to not be swayed by the optics of a debate. But, if the media tells you Biden lost, and all your friends say Biden lost, and everyone says he should be replaced, it's hard to argue with. Meanwhile, Trump was Trump, so everyone just lets him be DEPLORABLE. Not a single word about his lies. It's irresponsible, and the WSJ is a key perpetrator.

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u/UnstoppablyRight 2d ago

The average American is severely incredibly susceptible to optics.     

I'm not sure how you can say otherwise with any self-awareness... 

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u/audaciousmonk 3d ago

Maybe for some of the shitty people in this country. For those of us who want a good president, it’s all about policy and experience. Devils in the details, a pretty face or loud voice isn’t worth much on its own.

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u/ReignOfKaos 3d ago

If that were true for most people, you wouldn’t have live debates, but carefully written answers to a set of specific policy questions. Debates are purely about how charismatic you come across.