Will October’s early surprises overshadow the debates?
By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb
SALT LAKE CITY — Wow. It’s barely October and the surprises are already coming. The nasty presidential debate was soaking up all the national news coverage. Then the COVID-19 bombshell with the president and first lady testing positive created a news media feeding frenzy. Sen. Mike Lee also tested positive.
These events propel the coronavirus to the top of election issues, but we shouldn’t forget last week’s debates, especially the stark difference in tone between the presidential mudfest and the Utah gubernatorial debate. We attempt some last-minute analysis.
What’s the fallout in Utah from the Donald Trump/Joe Biden knife fight in the gutter? Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and law professor Chris Peterson articulated their differences in a friendly and professional manner. How does the president testing positive impact all of this?
Pignanelli: “The presidential debate made history. It was the first time Americans watched TV and wished for commercials.” – Jimmy Fallon
Recent developments consigned politics to the twilight zone. Most presidential matchups are forgotten within hours. But Tuesday’s event remained a hot topic for days — which is exactly what Trump wanted.
Despite the continual onslaught, Biden did not drool or collapse, confounding predictions from his opponents. (National decency suffered a gut punch when the candidates weirdly did not use the opportunity to disavow white supremacists and violent left-wing activists.) But the impact of the president’s COVID-19 illness has pushed the debate aside and elevated the pandemic to the front of the campaign.
In Utah, voters watching the Cox/Peterson genteel discussion were treated to important deliberations of policy (i.e. a mask mandate, funding for public education, etc.). Substantial time was dedicated to the state response to the pandemic, reflecting viewer’s concerns. Thus, the positive tests for Trump and Lee now supercharges issues surrounding the coronavirus in local campaigns.
The next several weeks will determine how weird things get, now that we are in the twilight zone.
Webb: From the perspective of a candidate, the purpose of a debate is to win votes. This usually happens when a candidate demonstrates a command of the issues, presents a positive vision and plan for the future, and projects strength and confidence, while showing a human side and empathizing with voters. Drawing a contrast with one’s opponent is also important, and it’s OK when disagreements are sharp.
Utahns were treated to that sort of debate in the gubernatorial contest. Two knowledgeable and articulate candidates discussed issues and challenges facing Utah with clarity and grace. They disagreed on a number of things, but did so respectfully. I thought Peterson, as the underdog, needed to more forcefully challenge the lieutenant governor, but it was a good debate and voters learned a lot about the candidates and the issues.
By contrast, it’s beyond me how Trump could have possibly thought that being rude, obnoxious and bullying would win additional votes. Biden responded in kind, calling Trump names and getting into the gutter with him.
Trump contracting the virus won’t change things much. Democrats may not say it out loud, but they feel the president has had a cavalier attitude about the pandemic, so he reaps what he sows.
Ordinary citizens who tuned in to the presidential debate to learn about the candidates and issues instead had to cover their ears and remove their children from the room. The bottom line is even more citizen cynicism about politics.
The University of Utah is hosting the debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris on Wednesday. How will this benefit Utah and what should readers expect?
Pignanelli: The vice president and senator will be on their best behavior. Both camps need to recapture voters’ respect so policy differences will be contrasted in a serious manner. Both contestants are viewed as potential presidential contenders and how they perform will be intensely scrutinized. This match may be remembered as the Pepto-Bismol debate — providing relief from political indigestion.
Millions of viewers will be grateful that Utah, consistent with its reputation, hosted a pleasant, efficient and meaningful vice presidential debate.
Webb: It’s terrific to have this debate in Utah. It will certainly not be a friendly encounter, and probably won’t even be respectful. But Pence and Harris will focus on issues rather than just yell at each other. It will be a real clash of political ideologies, providing a sharp contrast between a solid conservative and an arch-liberal/progressive.
It will still be all about Trump. Harris will attack Trump unmercifully, and Pence will have to defend Trump while pointing out the dangers of a leftist agenda. It will provide Utah voters with a clear ideological choice.
Because of the first presidential debate debacle, will future debates this year be canceled or altered?
Pignanelli: Trump’s condition may prevent future debates. If not, there will be changes. But too few or excessive modifications may cause a candidate to refuse participation, or worse … boredom by viewers.
Webb: Future debates shouldn’t be canceled, unless dictated by health considerations, but the format should be less freewheeling and the candidates themselves must agree to — and follow — some commonsense rules.