Trump has declared victory over Kamala 92/8 taken from a red neck group. Kamala won no doubt in my mind. USA needs to get rid of this racist, egotistical man. Kamala is smart and likeable and as a women of colour has to fight harder than her opposition. After watching the debate and listening to the group of undecided voters one woman nailed it. There were too many questions and not enough time to fully explain policies. She suggested if there was another debate there should be two major questions. Finally Kamala came across as a very genuine, articulate person. Fingers crossed she should win!
We watched the debate and agree with your summary. Two takeaways: firstly Gaza, hope that Kamala is being ‘balanced’ in order to get elected, then will get tough on Israel… Secondly, Trump’s blatant lies are on the same continuum as our own coalition - I can imagine Reti saying some of that stuff. Wasn’t Taylor Swift’s endorsement an excellent piece of writing, right down to her sign off as a childless cat lady!
Kamala was phenomenal except for the Gaza question but no US Presidential candidate would ever go against Israel - its political suicide - the pro Israel lobby in America is incredibly powerful
Beautiful summary, thanks. Kamala is certainly someone you warm to.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had a leaders debate, with the same rules here. I suspect cluxon would be laid bare. Oops, sorry, that's an unpleasant image.
It's worrying alright and mostly, for us in Aotearoa, because global 'culture' is mostly, sadly determined by leadership.of US. Trump and his belligerent non-sensical narcissistic autocracy has been the model, and license, for normalising our own breed of democracy destroying asswipes. I'm praying for Kamala to win so our own are exposed for what they are, and isolated globally. 🙏
Thanks Nick, pop corn had to be good lol. I didn't watch the debate in its entirety. I did however watch varoius commentators analysis from Jon Stewart. Kimmel etc and other more mainstream assessments like CNN etc, so it was an entertaining late afternoons/evening afterwatch. I agree with you on the Gaza stance and remember a previous news/interview item where Harris kind of expressed similar sentiments. I am hoping that it maybe something that the left element in the Democrats if elected will hopefully realign. I say if elected, because 8 weeks out a lot can happen even with a deranged Trump doing the rounds. Debates don't necessarily define an election according to US commentary pundits, pointing to Hillary Clinton and Trump winning the 2016 and 2020 debates respectively but different outcomes in the elections itself. But as one commentator expressed "it was like watching a child being scolded by their mother". I'm thinking theres a few "childs" Trumps description instead of children, in the Beehive that definitely need scolding.
Loved this bit Nick - once I got it, and that took a couple of rereads. Good stuff!
"I see those Americans voting for him with less disdain, or at least laugh a little less, since our election last October. What is it that people find so damn irresistible about egotistical liars with no plans?"
Thanks for your thoughts Nick. I cringed my way through it as well and feel you are a little easy on Trump with some of your comments but, hey, it's our opinions, isn't it. Trump came across as he is - ignorant, abusive, a stranger to the truth, narcissistic, dictatorial, rude, uncaring of anyone but himself, shall I go on? His comments on "fixing" the war that Russia began are simply in la la land, except that in his mind fixing it probably means withdrawing any aid to Ukraine and allowing Putin free range - there's way too much material in his responses to questions to continue the criticism..........on the other hand there was an adult standing at the other podium. Sadly that doesn't mean she will win.
Thanks for watching Nick. While I sincerely hope Kamala wins it would be great if she also loses the idea of the USA hegemony and actually starts a dialogue with Putin while also stopping all military aid to Israel. As Prof Jeffery Sachs reminds us the days of the USA being the world super power are over as the BRICKs nations take an increasingly influential position in economic and social affairs. It is time for the next president(hopefully Kamala) to recognise this and to make sure the Doomsday Clock, now set at 90 seconds, gets no closer to midnight. It is in fact time for the new president to get on the phone and talk peace not endless war.
I'm in total agreement with you. I didn't watch the whole because honestly I just can't stand Trumps voice especially when it goes all soft and whiney you just know there's more lies coming. I cannot think of America as a superpower when I see the damage their utter indifference does to people dying in other parts of the world.
You're welcome. It went fast. I wrote as it happened on my phone, and was largely done by the end. I thought of sending it out straight after, but it felt like overload after a newsletter in the morning.
Dead angry lizard. There is no abortion after birth! They're eating pets in Springfield. Great summary of a very strange debate, Nick. Surely the whole point of debating is the cut and thrust of ideas and language. The bar was set by David Lange at Oxford and the bar for this one was carpet-level. Bo-ring. I really do not understand US politics -- its values are so mixed up. I want to love Kamala but how can she still be supporting Israel? Obviously there's some internal pressure because what could Israel itself possibly apply to the leaders of the free world. The Israel lobby has funded political campaigns against parties they view as hostile. As always in politics, money talks. Even so, the idea of another four years of Trump makes me sick to my stomach. If I was a US voter I would hands down tick the box or whatever it is they do that creates so much angst over hanging chads. Fun clip. The Presidents had them at "motherfuckers".
Trump has declared victory over Kamala 92/8 taken from a red neck group. Kamala won no doubt in my mind. USA needs to get rid of this racist, egotistical man. Kamala is smart and likeable and as a women of colour has to fight harder than her opposition. After watching the debate and listening to the group of undecided voters one woman nailed it. There were too many questions and not enough time to fully explain policies. She suggested if there was another debate there should be two major questions. Finally Kamala came across as a very genuine, articulate person. Fingers crossed she should win!
I agree Marilyn!
The alternative is sickening to contemplate.
Yes ìndeed.
We watched the debate and agree with your summary. Two takeaways: firstly Gaza, hope that Kamala is being ‘balanced’ in order to get elected, then will get tough on Israel… Secondly, Trump’s blatant lies are on the same continuum as our own coalition - I can imagine Reti saying some of that stuff. Wasn’t Taylor Swift’s endorsement an excellent piece of writing, right down to her sign off as a childless cat lady!
Yes Keith! Me too!
Kamala was phenomenal except for the Gaza question but no US Presidential candidate would ever go against Israel - its political suicide - the pro Israel lobby in America is incredibly powerful
Beautiful summary, thanks. Kamala is certainly someone you warm to.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had a leaders debate, with the same rules here. I suspect cluxon would be laid bare. Oops, sorry, that's an unpleasant image.
What a very good idea, John,
It's worrying alright and mostly, for us in Aotearoa, because global 'culture' is mostly, sadly determined by leadership.of US. Trump and his belligerent non-sensical narcissistic autocracy has been the model, and license, for normalising our own breed of democracy destroying asswipes. I'm praying for Kamala to win so our own are exposed for what they are, and isolated globally. 🙏
trump has emboldend scum like Seymour and his ilk around the world.
Yes! And the weakness of Luxon has enabled the loonies in Aotearoa New Zealand to spread their vile messages.
I really think a lot of the support for trump is not actually “for” him, but against who they are told are woke socialist commie marxist globalists.
🤣😂🤣😂 just laughing at the description of woke people 🤣
Thanks Nick, pop corn had to be good lol. I didn't watch the debate in its entirety. I did however watch varoius commentators analysis from Jon Stewart. Kimmel etc and other more mainstream assessments like CNN etc, so it was an entertaining late afternoons/evening afterwatch. I agree with you on the Gaza stance and remember a previous news/interview item where Harris kind of expressed similar sentiments. I am hoping that it maybe something that the left element in the Democrats if elected will hopefully realign. I say if elected, because 8 weeks out a lot can happen even with a deranged Trump doing the rounds. Debates don't necessarily define an election according to US commentary pundits, pointing to Hillary Clinton and Trump winning the 2016 and 2020 debates respectively but different outcomes in the elections itself. But as one commentator expressed "it was like watching a child being scolded by their mother". I'm thinking theres a few "childs" Trumps description instead of children, in the Beehive that definitely need scolding.
Loved this bit Nick - once I got it, and that took a couple of rereads. Good stuff!
"I see those Americans voting for him with less disdain, or at least laugh a little less, since our election last October. What is it that people find so damn irresistible about egotistical liars with no plans?"
Thanks for your thoughts Nick. I cringed my way through it as well and feel you are a little easy on Trump with some of your comments but, hey, it's our opinions, isn't it. Trump came across as he is - ignorant, abusive, a stranger to the truth, narcissistic, dictatorial, rude, uncaring of anyone but himself, shall I go on? His comments on "fixing" the war that Russia began are simply in la la land, except that in his mind fixing it probably means withdrawing any aid to Ukraine and allowing Putin free range - there's way too much material in his responses to questions to continue the criticism..........on the other hand there was an adult standing at the other podium. Sadly that doesn't mean she will win.
Thanks for watching Nick. While I sincerely hope Kamala wins it would be great if she also loses the idea of the USA hegemony and actually starts a dialogue with Putin while also stopping all military aid to Israel. As Prof Jeffery Sachs reminds us the days of the USA being the world super power are over as the BRICKs nations take an increasingly influential position in economic and social affairs. It is time for the next president(hopefully Kamala) to recognise this and to make sure the Doomsday Clock, now set at 90 seconds, gets no closer to midnight. It is in fact time for the new president to get on the phone and talk peace not endless war.
Kia ora Nick, thank you, your writings helps me to get a more rounded perspective of the debate.
I'm in total agreement with you. I didn't watch the whole because honestly I just can't stand Trumps voice especially when it goes all soft and whiney you just know there's more lies coming. I cannot think of America as a superpower when I see the damage their utter indifference does to people dying in other parts of the world.
Trump is clearly unhinged.
Thank you for watching it for me, so I didn't have to!
You're welcome. It went fast. I wrote as it happened on my phone, and was largely done by the end. I thought of sending it out straight after, but it felt like overload after a newsletter in the morning.
Agree with everything you said Nick I did turn off the telly before it was finished cos I got fed up listening to the orange deranged person.
Dead angry lizard. There is no abortion after birth! They're eating pets in Springfield. Great summary of a very strange debate, Nick. Surely the whole point of debating is the cut and thrust of ideas and language. The bar was set by David Lange at Oxford and the bar for this one was carpet-level. Bo-ring. I really do not understand US politics -- its values are so mixed up. I want to love Kamala but how can she still be supporting Israel? Obviously there's some internal pressure because what could Israel itself possibly apply to the leaders of the free world. The Israel lobby has funded political campaigns against parties they view as hostile. As always in politics, money talks. Even so, the idea of another four years of Trump makes me sick to my stomach. If I was a US voter I would hands down tick the box or whatever it is they do that creates so much angst over hanging chads. Fun clip. The Presidents had them at "motherfuckers".
Agree I couldn't help thinking it was between the devil & the deep blue sea.