By Doug Porter
The first presidential debate is not about “winning” or “losing.” It’s about perception and emotion. It’s time for a “gut check.”
Monday evening’s event (6pm start time, for those of us on the left coast) will be broadcast live from Hofstra University. NBC’s Lester Holt will moderate the first debate, broadcast live on each of the major networks and leading cable news sites. There will be a live feed from ABC News available on Facebook and Twitter will stream Bloomberg’s coverage.
Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump will be the only candidates on the stage. Libertarian Gary Johnson, Jill Stein of the Green Party, and that other stand-in for a Republican candidate failed to make the cut based on their results in the most recent major polling.
This first debate will have six time segments of about 15 minutes each. Moderator Lester Holt will open the segments with a question, then Clinton and Trump will have two minutes each to respond. After their initial answers, they can respond to each other for the remainder of the segment.
The topics selected by Holt are broadly about the economy and security: They are: “America’s direction,” “achieving prosperity” and “securing America.”
Donald Trump will lie the most, living up to his 3.4 (out of 4) average Washington Post Fact Checkers Pinocchios rating. His campaign thus far had been the embodiment of ‘if you say a lie often enough and loud enough people will believe it,’ I don’t expect anything less.
Clinton (2.2 average Pinocchios, will try to unnerve him while seeming calm and measured. If she gets too steely, watch for the ‘Hillary is shrill’ memes to explode. She needs (IMO) to be the smartest candidate on the stage, since likable isn’t exactly her strong suit.
It’s all been smoke and mirrors until now. Clinton rises in the polls, Clinton falls. Trump rises in the polls, Trump falls. Hillary’s winning, but… Trump has stabilized his campaign… until now…
Let’s do a quick tour and see what’s popping in pundit land.
Russell Berman at The Atlantic:
The two contenders are diametrically opposed in just about every way, from their visions of the country, to the policies they propose, to the way they comport themselves on stage. Trump is the improviser, a charismatic salesman whose penchant for jokes, insults, and bluster served him surprisingly well in the Republican primaries. Clinton is the epitome of practiced caution, a candidate with a well-known comfort for policy and preparation who rarely deviates from her script.
Moderator Lester Holt
Trump couldn’t even wait for the debates before starting to spew factually-challenged statement, erroneously claiming moderator Lester Holt is a Democrat. Holt has been a registered Republican in New York since 2003, according to voter records.
From Time Magazine:
Trump’s comments to Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, which were offered without any evidence to support the claim, are part of a time-honored tradition of alleging moderator bias and expectations-setting before a presidential debate.
“By the way, Lester is a Democrat. It’s a phony system. They are all Democrats. It’s a very unfair system,” Trump said of the debate moderators.
The NBC newsman, regarded by both parties as a straight shooter, is set to moderate the first debate on Sept. 26.
Holt is, by the way, from a racially mixed family, so expect to see racist tweets from Trump supporters throughout the evening.
The Washington Post reported on how the candidates are preparing:
Hillary Clinton is methodically preparing for the presidential debates as a veteran lawyer would approach her biggest trial. She pores over briefing books thick with policy arcana and opposition research. She internalizes tips from the most seasoned debate coaches in her party. And she rehearses, over and over again, to perfect the pacing and substance of her presentation.
Donald Trump is taking a different approach. He summons his informal band of counselors — including former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, talk-radio host Laura Ingraham and ousted Fox News Channel chairman Roger Ailes — to his New Jersey golf course for Sunday chats. Over bacon cheeseburgers, hot dogs and glasses of Coca-Cola, they test out zingers and chew over ways to refine the Republican nominee’s pitch.
Over at Counterpunch, Libertarian leftie Thomas Knapp is pessimistic about a mere two-candidate debate:
And then there were two. Image from YouTube
The idea of a “debate” presupposes reasoned arguments for and against specific propositions. The Hofstra event and its follow-ups won’t be debates. They’ll be combination beauty contests, “professional wrestling” matches, and campaign commercials.
The only proposition either candidate will support will be “I should be president.”
The closest thing to an argument either one will put forward will be “because I am not the other person on this stage.”
At the end of the evening, the audience will have no more clue what, other than personal style, differentiates one candidate from the other than we did at the beginning — for the perfectly good reason that the answer is pretty much nothing.
Black Lives Do Matter
UT Headline: Chargers Players Plan to Continue Protest
Two Chargers stood together Sunday during the national anthem at Qualcomm Stadium. Two raised a right fist over their right shoulder for the song’s entirety. Two became the latest NFL players to exercise their right to peaceful protest against the racial injustice they perceive in the United States.
Joe Barksdale and Chris Hairston.
This Sunday, the offensive linemen plan to continue that protest. For it, there likely will be more than two.
Right fists again will be raised on the Chargers’ sideline during the anthem, this time before kickoff against the Colts in Indianapolis. Barksdale said he and Hairston will continue their part in a larger protest. Based on conversations this week, they anticipate some company on the sideline.
— Nick Confessore (@nickconfessore) September 22, 2016
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Weekly Progressive Calendar: Upcoming in San Diego
Get your event listed: I try to list the next 10 days or so of mostly non-commercial events I think our readers might find of interest. I source my material from social media listings and press releases. In cases where there are competing but similar events or campaigns of the progressive persuasion, I do my best to list everything.
Politifest 2016 with DeRay Mckesson and Reihan Salam
Saturday, September 24, 8:30am- All Day
Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union
San Diego State University
Info & Updates (Warning. It’s close to sold out)
Held in partnership with the SDSU School of Journalism and Media Studies, this all-day public affairs conference will feature two national keynote speakers, as well as workshops and sessions that focus on the November ballot.
Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson and conservative commentator Reihan Salam will keynote the conference.
Sessions throughout the day will break down some of the most complex races and contentious issues that San Diego residents will vote on this year. Confirmed sessions cover the District 9 City Council and City Attorney races; campaign financing; the dueling death-penalty measures; open democracy and more.
Panel moderators include journalists from Voice of San Diego, KPBS, inewsource, NBC 7 San Diego and others.
More information and full schedule: http://politifest.org
Event FAQs: http://goo.gl/wrLckX
Tickets are free to ALL students and teachers, $40 for general public, and $25 for VOSD members. To reserve tickets, go here: http://politifest.eventbrite.com
If the ticket cost is stopping you from coming, you can apply for complimentary tickets here: http://goo.gl/JlvjUP
AIDS Walk San Diego
Saturday, September 24, 7:30am
3909 Center Street
Info & Updates (Donate!)
Individuals, teams, social clubs, local businesses, schools, universities, and faith organizations from all over San Diego will come together for AIDS Walk/Run. We gather to remember the many who were lost to AIDS and to raise vital funds to support all of the San Diegans living today with HIV disease. Please join us for San Diego’s largest fundraising event for HIV disease and be part of this incredible community experience!
Today we know the best weapons to fight back against HIV and prevent its spread are – getting tested at least annually, knowing your HIV status and that of your partner, using prevention tools like condoms, PrEP and PEP, staying connected to medical care & medication and getting to undetectable viral loads. Join us and #bethegeneration that helps eliminate new cases of HIV.
100,000 Poets for Change
Saturday, September 24, 2-5pm
Grass Roots Oasis
3130 Moore St
Info & Updates
POETS! On September 24, 2016 poets, musicians and artists in over 500 events in over 100 countries will focus on issues of peace, justice, and sustainability. This important annual global act of solidarity is the core activity of 100 Thousand Poets for Change, a non-profit organization. 100 Thousand Poets for Change offers an opportunity for a peaceful global discussion of issues such as war, global warming, poverty, racism, gender inequality, homelessness, gun violence, police brutality, lack of affordable medical care, censorship, and animal cruelty. Please Join us and add your voice to this inspiring, open, and FREE event!
Protest the Poway Rodeo
Saturday, September 24, 5:15-7:30pm
Poway Rodeo
14336 Tierra Bonita Rd, Poway
Info & Updates
Rodeo performers have been documented beating, kicking, and shocking normally docile cows and horses in chutes and holding pens. “Bucking broncos” and steers are provoked with electric prods, sharp sticks, caustic ointments, and the pinching “bucking” strap. By the time the animals are released into the arena, they are frantic. Calves, roped when running, have their necks snapped back by the lasso, often resulting in neck and back injuries, bruises, broken bones, and internal bleeding. Rodeos are promoted as rough-and-tough exercises of human skill and courage in conquering the fierce, untamed beasts of the Wild West. But in reality, rodeos are nothing more than manipulative displays of human domination over animals, thinly disguised as entertainment. What began in the 1800s as a contest of skill among cowboys has become a show motivated by greed and big profits.
The Lovebirds in Concert
Saturday, September 24, 7:30pm
Grass Roots Oasis
3130 Moore St
Info & Updates (Tickets)
Join award-winning folk/pop duo The Lovebirds for a rare 2016 performance! Comprised of songwriters Lindsay White and Veronica May, The Lovebirds fall somewhere on the female duo scale between The Indigo Girls and Tegan and Sara. They have shared the stage with notable acts like David Crosby, The Lone Bellow, Shook Twins, Steve Poltz, Susanna Hoffs, Jack Tempchin, Bushwalla, Raining Jane, and more.
The Lovebirds were recently selected as winners of the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk songwriting contest and as official showcase performers for Folk Alliance International. Their latest album, “Breakup Shmakeup,” chronicles the experience of ending their romantic partnership in order to preserve their musical partnership.
Caution: a live performance by The Lovebirds is a tornado of sights and sounds which may include short skirts, high heels, skinny ties, confidence glasses, percussive guitar, rock ukulele, stand-up drumkits, and harmonies that won’t quit.
The Women’s History Theater Festival
Amelia Lives
Saturday, September 24, 8pm
Sunday, September 25, 5pm
Women’s Museum of California
2730 Historic Decatur Road, #103 (Liberty Station)
Info & Tickets (Admission)
Written by: Laura Annaywn Shamas – Directed by: Hal Berry
The play opens with Amelia Earhart flying over the Pacific Ocean in her Lockheed Electra 10E attempting to complete an around-the-world trip. She is heading for Howland Island from which she will refuel and take off for South America. From there, she will return to the United States having completed the trip. In an age of aviation competitions and firsts, danger was an accepted reality.
The Women’s History Theater Festival
The Last Flapper
Saturday, September 24, 5pm
Sunday, September 25, 8pm
Women’s Museum of California
2730 Historic Decatur Road, #103 (Liberty Station)
Info & Tickets (Admission)
Written by: William Luce – Directed by: Hal Berry
Set in a mental asylum on the last day of her life, The Last Flapper is the reminiscences of Zelda Fitzgerald. Born to a socially prominent family in Montgomery, Alabama, beautiful and chronically rebellious, Zelda fell in love with a young World War I Lieutenant, Francis Scott Fitzgerald, who had dropped out of Princeton his senior year to join the Army. After the war, Fitzgerald journeyed to New York City to begin a career as a writer. In love with Zelda, but with no money or success as a writer, Fitzgerald could not get Zelda to marry him. This all changed with his first major success of the novel This Side of Paradise.
Emma’s Revolution Concert
Saturday, September 24, 7:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito
1036 Solana Dr, Solana Beach
Info & Updates (Admission)
. “Emma’s Revolution is the duo of activist musicians, Pat Humphries & Sandy O. Emma’s Revolution creates new standards in the art of social justice. Their songs have been sung for the Dalai Lama, praised by Pete Seeger and recorded by Holly Near. emma’s revolution brings their uprising of truth, hope and a dash of healthy irreverence to concerts and peace & justice, labor, human rights, environmental, LGBT and women’s rights events around the world.”
Concert Across America – San Diego
Sunday, September 25, 5pm
Grass Roots Oasis
3130 Moore St
Info & Updates (Free, RSVP Req)
This nationwide concert will link communities across the U.S. to remember the victims of gun violence and to commit to taking actions to reduce gun violence in our country. The San Diego concert, sponsored by the San Diego Chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and partnering with the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito, will be connected to all the concerts nationwide via social media and online atwww.ConcertAcrossAmerica.org.
Performances by:
Josh Weinstein is a composer, arranger, producer, and freelance musician originally from New York.
Kimm Rogers is a San Diego based singer songwriter. Her latest album, Where the Pavement Grows, is listed in the Best Pop Album category for the San Diego Music Awards.
The League of Liars was born one fine autumn morning in the back of a Bentley touring car, en route to Cardiff-By-The-Sea (along the lackadaisical Pacific Coast Highway).
Kelli McCarthy, Chuck Vadun, Ron Marcus and Louis Barkley are San Diego based musicians who have played in various original and cover bands over the years, and have recently come together to form a band to perform at the Concert Across America.
Special solo performance by Hayden Clark.
Measure A – How to Get Around for the Next 40 Years
Sunday, September 25, 4pm
Point Loma Democratic Club
Point Loma Assembly, 3035 Talbot St
Info & Updates
There’s a Measure on the ballot this November that could determine how we’ll get around San Diego County for the next 40 years. Transportation affects the quality of lives – how we get to work, how we get to the beach. It shapes the growth of our cities, and the health of children and seniors.
The Republican Party of San Diego County and the San Diego County Democratic Party both agree on one thing – vote No on Measure A this November.
On Sunday we’ll hear two reasonable voices arguing for and against the Measure.
Anthony Montalvo is the Outreach Manager for Citizens for a Better San Diego, a campaign organization working to support Measure A.
Gretchen Newsom is the Political Director for IBEW 569, and a member of a diverse coalition that includes environmental, labor, business, and community advocacy groups that oppose Measure A.
On This Day: 1886 – A coalition of Knights of Labor and trade unionists in Chicago launch the United Labor party, calling for an 8-hour day, government ownership of telegraph and telephone companies, and monetary and land reform. The party elects seven state assemblymen and one senator. 1952 – Richard Nixon gave his “Checkers Speech”. At the time he was a candidate for vice-president. 1969 – It was reported by “The London Daily Mirror” that Paul McCartney was dead. It was the first time the rumor was printed.
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Doug Porter
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