this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2023
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[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 58 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Its both useful and pretty obvious to me. The primary function of these debates is to get a temperature check on 'what the party is all about', and through this lense, we can see that they haven't moved in from misogyny, racism, and neo/facsist ideologies. They have an accountability to their voters to do so, and engagement will drive turnout. It's in their benefit to show they have some kind of value to their voters.

Frankly, I'm annoyed we're not also having a farse of a primary and debate season for Biden. It's a chance to ask questions and be critical, and anyone who says it's not the time for that is antidemocratic. Debates are one of the very few times we can hold the parties at least some what accountable for the bile they soew forth, even if only in a comedically produced and frankly, offensive to the definition of the word debate, debate structure.

We already have so few entry points into democracy in the US. Writing off this one seems ludicrous.

[–] YoBuckStopsHere@lemmy.world 19 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Sitting Presidents are rarely challenged within the party.

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That's obviously not the point.

[–] HWK_290@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (1 children)

True, but the Biden administration is definitely using the debate to put forward their own talking points ("watch it jack, we're bringing roe back," a new plan to cap student loan debt, new climate investments) so it's not like we're getting no taste of what the administration's priorities will be in the next 4 years

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

True, but the Biden administration is definitely using the debate to put forward their own talking points (“watch it jack, we’re bringing roe back,” a new plan to cap student loan debt, new climate investments) so it’s not like we’re getting no taste of what the administration’s priorities will be in the next 4 years

Good, and they should be. I'd like to see some Democratic with the candidates who obviously won't be getting the nod, simply because its an opportunity to hold people accountable. How about the failure by the Biden administration on student loans? How about we have some debate questions about the supreme court and how its basically been captured by the conservative movement, and apparently, open to bribery? We have so few opportunities to actually engage in politics. We can't give up the debates simply because of decorum or that the contenders won't win. Its literally the only time we ever get the chance to drive the party in the direction of the will of the people.

[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

What is Biden supposed to do about the Supreme Court except nominate new justices? The problem is that you need Congress to do something.

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Lets here what he proposes as a solution. Its his answer to have not mine, and as President, he sure as fucking shit better have a plan, or he's not qualified for the job. The argument here is in support of debates. Without debates, we don't get answers to these kinds of questions.

I sure as shit want to know what Biden's plan is to deal with a congress that wont play ball. He needs to have one.

[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Lets here what he proposes as a solution. Its his answer to have not mine

It isn't his job, unless you make the Supreme Court a Presidential appointment alone and that they can fire justices on their own whim.

The power to deal with a corrupt Supreme Court has been clearly vested in Congress, not the President.

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It isn’t his job, unless you make the Supreme Court a Presidential appointment alone and that they can fire justices on their own whim.

It sure as fuck is the Presidents job to navigate the halls of power and deliver on things they campaign on.

[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

To a point, but the President has not been given the power to be a dictator.

If the President's agenda doesn't get past Congress, what is the President supposed to do? Do you expect the President to start arresting members of Congress until the Presidents' bills get passed?

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

To a point, but the President has not been given the power to be a dictator.

No one is asking them to be, but if you don't understand that the ability to get an agenda past Congress is there job, I don't know what to tell you. The job of a President isn't to accept defeat for their constituents, is to find a way through.

[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 0 points 2 years ago

That isn't the President's job to wrangle Congress. Perception over time has made people think that, but the Presidency was never set to lead the legislative branch. If that were the case, the President would be more like a Prime Minister in other countries.