119 Comments

Steve, you write a lot of great lines. I think this is my favorite ever: “Thin-skinned and corrupt, he skims the stupid line everyday, but survives contact because the American media long ago makes sure The Donald never flies without a net.”

Perfect!

Expand full comment

Kamala’s opening line: “Good evening, America. To be honest, this is a first for me, since my only previous experience debating a criminal occurred whenever a defense attorney put his or her felonious criminal defendant on the stand for cross examination.”

Expand full comment

She is more than ready. He is not. I have maintained for some time, despite the close polls showing this election is a nail biter, her win will not be close. Landslide may be too much to ask for, but there will be little for him to protest. Early voting begins shortly. And continue thru to Election Day. Each moment there are more obvious reasons why voting is so critical. Getting out the vote has always been the difference.

Expand full comment

When Hillary debated him, he stalked her around the stage. It was so aggressive and so predatory. His clear hatred of Women only exceeds his fear of Women. He cannot be allowed that kind of behavior with this debate. She must call him out if he tries that again, and so should the debate moderators.

Expand full comment

Count on Kamala knowing how to call Trump out! She is not a shy woman of accomplishments! Her entire life has been well lived and open to exposure! She is no shy violet! If anyone can handle the little man, Kamala can in spades!

Expand full comment

Agree. Any debate should observe the time honored format where the moderator is FULL command. The first failure of this was the debate with Dubya. Ignoring the moderator, he snatched the mike from its stand and moved about the stage mouthing a pre-arranged message laced with evangelical bs and other drawling Texas homilies, and the moderator quickly wimped, invalidating any meaningful significance of the debate. In Trump's debate with Hillary, you are correct in giving Trump his due--he is a master of stalking, interrupting, and on-stage positional sabotage. All this again the failure of the moderator. Let's hope Kamala and her crowd do not agree to any weakened debate format being relentlessly suggested by Trump. The spine of the moderator is key.

Expand full comment

"She must call him out if he tries that again, and so should the debate moderators."

She needs to tell him to "stand back and stand by". Now where have we heard that before?

Expand full comment

I would say she’s ready to smoke him!

Expand full comment

I used to think that another tRump term would be ameliorated by our system of checks and balances. After the SCOTUS decision granting blanket immunity to the president, I’m not so sure the disgraceful six would stand in trump’s way. After all the immunity debacle has no basis in the constitution.

Expand full comment
Sep 3·edited Sep 3

I'm nervous. She faces enormous pressure under glaring spotlights. I'm not worried about Kamala's performance and 'presence', nor Donald Trump and his clown show.

The media will favor Trump, ignore or apologize for his many goofs and incoherencies and focus on Kamal's every tick.

Here's hoping she humiliates Trump and muzzles the media's false narrative.

(Psst, I believe she will!)

Expand full comment

In my fantasies Kamala says directly to him at the debate, you're a piece of shit and I'm gonna flush you once and for all. I don't think this will actually happen. Awww

Expand full comment

It would be warranted but would work against her. Nice thought though!

Expand full comment

Yeah, and she's too smart for that

Expand full comment

I would pay good money to see that.👍

Expand full comment

If only!

Expand full comment
Sep 3Liked by Steve Schmidt

Steve: That was marvelous! Your paragraph about Trump was perfect description and almost made me cheer and giggle. You caught him to a tee! Keep it up! It helps our optimism and spirits! Thanks.

Thousands and thousands want to see him depart, big time! We love our democracy!

Expand full comment

Make that millions and millions

Expand full comment

🤞

Expand full comment

Peak stupid every day. And twice on Sunday.

Expand full comment

Excellent article…I am counting on Kamala being in great form and will take Trump down with aplomb! She will have to show this misogynistic man that this women is out to fight and WIN!

Expand full comment

Kamala needs only demonstrate that Trump cannot pass the minimal rational threshold for sanity, competence and moral awareness.

Expand full comment

That should be pretty easy, he does it every day own his own.

Expand full comment

Kamala needs to affirm that she has the resources to do the job. She has team America on her side. Fox News will not have their way with her.

Expand full comment

Team Canada and team Western Europe are also on her side. Wel’ll all be cheering her on with gusto.

Expand full comment

As for the debate, my opinion remains the same: there is nothing to debate if the other side is unwilling to accept the election results. Unfortunately, we’re trying to do the right thing — debate — with people who have no interest in democracy or the rule of law.

Expand full comment

We no longer have a two-party system! We have the Democratic party and an ongoing MAGA-Coup intent on overthrowing Democracy, our constitution, etc...with billions in dark money and tremendous dark foreign influence too :-( The waters are deep.

Expand full comment

You are right, these are so called "debates", are not real debates-thanks to the media! However, with our society the way it is, it is for many citizens, the only time they HAVE to watch the candidates who want to be our POTUS! (Unless, of course they turn to other channels!) Like it or not, these debates can make or break a candidate-just ask Joe Biden! Let's hope that this "debate" breaks Trump!

Expand full comment

There should be no “debate”.

It will not be a debate.

It will be an insult.

One candidate is legitimate.

The other has no business being there.

He is a fraud and should not even be provided the opportunity of the appearance of normalcy.

He should have been cancelled years ago.

He is a disgrace and the sooner we are rid of him and his disgusting sycophants the better.

I will not be watching.

Expand full comment

Although I generally agree with your sentiment, he won the R primaries and secured the right to be their nominee. That he is forcing delays in justice is the fault of the judicial system.

Cancelling people and votes is what MAGA does; we need to be better. If handled properly, Kamala will dismantle and politely humiliate him for the POS that he is and for all to see.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Mike. Unfortunately, the Dems are the best at political canceling. The Republicans had their opportunities served up on two silver platters but being so desperate to hold on to their shred of power, passed them up.

And this horrific scenario plays out every day this clown show is allowed to continue. My point pertains specifically to his anti-democratic behavior and lack of accountability. Literally anyone and everyone else would have suffered consequences. I simply don’t get it and it makes me really angry.

Expand full comment

You make good points Mike. But as Mike Huddleston said he is unfortunately the Republican nominee. IMO it would have been detrimental for Harris to refuse to debate him. He finally agreed to the venue and the broadcaster and there wasn’t much else that she could have gained in further regotiations.

Expand full comment

I agree CaroleAnne. It’s just the use of the term “Debate” that gets me. A debate requires two reasonable well-informed and well-intentioned individuals. Unfortunately, this is an impossibility with the presence of the Donald.

Expand full comment

We no longer have a two-party system! We have the Democratic party and an ongoing MAGA-Coup intent on overthrowing Democracy, our constitution, etc...with billions in dark money and foreign influence too :-(

Expand full comment

Here here!

I agree completely. There should be no debate…it serves only lend legitimacy to this fraud.

“Let him get his own damn publicity”

Expand full comment

I absolutely understand that you don’t want to watch, but put your TV on and leave the room. Let the ratings show incredible viewership.

Expand full comment

We've been ready to say good-bye the moment he came down that gilded escalator.

Expand full comment

We have been praying for goodbye since he rode down his golden elevator with his trophy wife.

Expand full comment
founding

Steve, I read you every day. It makes my day. Your clarity, insight and historic perspective are unsurpassed. You can write about the same boring criminal every day and not repeat yourself. It's amazing!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Joan! Appreciate your support.

Steve

Expand full comment