Trump's Optics Better Than Biden's Substance

June 27, 2024 (Vol. 18 No. 28) - America should not rest easy tonight. Donald Trump has come out the clear winner of his CNN-sponsored debate with Joe Biden. It's not that Trump won the day on his debating points. Practically everything the man said this evening was pure, unadulterated bullshit. But that's what we've grown to expect from Donald Trump. What America was really interested in learning tonight was whether Biden could reassure us that he isn't too old for the job. He didn't. The first 15 minutes of the debate were disastrous, with Biden's voice crackling and weak and some of his answers almost incoherent. It wasn't until Trump suggested that it was he who had been far more supported of the military than Biden - something the record clearly shows is patently false - did Joe get his Irish up and start effectively counterpunching. In fact, if this was your high school debate club, Biden won the night hands down. His answers were more specific to the questions being asked and more grounded in the truth than the babble Trump spewed forth. However, this isn't high school. It's the major leagues. While many of Trump's answers were scattershot and devoid of reality, his optics were much stronger than Biden's. Trump came across as more vibrant than his opponent, much like a snarling wolverine does when pouncing upon its prey. I can't help but remember the reality of the first-ever televised presidential debate back in 1960. It was a tan and rested Jack Kennedy squaring off against a pale, just-out-of-the-hospital Richard Nixon. Those who heard the debate on radio thought that Nixon won. But the millions more who saw it on television thought Kennedy had won. Biden's people still have some things working in their favor. Despite what happened tonight, I doubt that many minds were changed. Biden's supporters are going to overlook his weak debate performance, just as Trump's supporters will overlook his immoral and criminal conduct. Then there's the fact that Trump will be sentenced on July 11 for his conviction on 34 counts of fraud and could wind up in prison. Tonight's debate also could be quickly overshadowed within a few hours by a Supreme Court decision that is likely to rule that Trump has no claim for presidential immunity - especially for acts committed after leaving the presidency. And it is a long way until November and Trump continues to be his own worst enemy. But much of that may be wishful thinking. The fact remains that tonight - one hour after the conclusion of the debate - Donald Trump's supporters are happier than Joe Biden's. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.