r/politics • u/wsj The Wall Street Journal • 6d 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.

39 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

56% Upvoted

1.0k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

74

u/wsj The Wall Street Journal 6d 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.

62

u/Mindless-Ad-9803 6d 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?

59

u/UnstoppablyRight 6d ago

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

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

3

u/Mindless-Ad-9803 6d 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.

1

u/UnstoppablyRight 4d ago

The average American is severely incredibly susceptible to optics.     

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