If I could moderate the June 27 presidential debate
Here are a few questions I'd ask Donald Trump and Joe Biden
The first of two presidential debates between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is scheduled to take place next month. If I was the moderator, here are some of the questions I would ask each of them. And as a public service, I also have included their answers.
Moderator: Gentlemen, the civil rights movement of the 1960s was punctuated by the March on Washington and Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Where were you on August 28, 1963?
Biden: I didn't march that day, but I'll tell you this: Since that day, I have committed myself to following in Dr. King's footsteps. He was a man of moral clarity and vision. When it comes to various policies I support, people may disagree with me but I doubt they question my sincerity.
Trump: Joe, I have lots of questions about your policies and sincerity. That's why I'm running for president again. As far as I am concerned, Dr. King's "Dream" speech was eloquently delivered; but, because of all the violence in the inner cities now, it doesn't seem to have the impact it once had.
----------
Moderator: What happened on November 22, 1963, and what influence did it have on your life?
Trump: That's easy. My classmates were in shock. The Standard & Poor's 500 plunged nearly 3 percent that day, but I didn't know why. I just remember thinking that was a lot of money people lost. Watching people’s reaction to the news, I vowed never to lose money later in life.
Biden: You've gotta be kidding, man. That's the day President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Virtually every baby boomer on the planet knows what happened that day. In the days that followed, I began thinking public service might be for me.
----------
Moderator: The evening of December 1, 1969 is a night that impacted nearly a million young American men. What do you remember about that night?
Trump: I'm not sure where I was the night of that first national draft lottery, but I do know this: I already had been classified 1-Y due to bone spurs. This meant I basically was medically disqualified from serving in the military. Despite what happened that night, I was keenly aware that the S&P 500 was on a path to dropping more than 13 percent in 1969 compared to '68.
Biden: Due to asthma, I also was classified 1-Y. So, like Donald, I didn’t serve in the military. That said, let me share two quick stories with you. First, my dear friend, John McCain, was a POW for years during the Vietnam War; and second, my late son, Beau, served in Iraq where he most likely was exposed to cancer-causing agents. My opponent never has apologized for calling soldiers like John and Beau "suckers" for having served their country. That comment, alone, should be enough to disqualify Donald from becoming president again.
----------
Moderator: Mr. Trump, you thought Barack Obama was not qualified to serve as president while you, Mr. Biden, served as his vice president. Please share your thoughts with the American public about President Obama.
Biden: There aren't many people I consider a true brother, but Barack Obama tops my list. With this thought in mind, it was my profound honor to serve as his running mate and vice president for eight years. A lot has been said about "No Drama Obama." I'm here to tell you it is absolutely true. I've met with world leaders for decades, but none of them match the former president's intellect and focus. Many times, when I was the last person in the Oval Office with Barack, I had a different idea how to solve a problem. He never pulled rank on me. He listened to my opinion before making a decision. When he did, I have to tell you I ended up agreeing with him 99 percent of the time. I believe the nation owes a deep, sincere debt of gratitude to the former president.
Trump: I couldn't disagree with you with more, Joe. Barack Hussein Obama should never have been allowed to run for president. To this day, I still believe his birth certificate was altered. If Obama had been named someone like "Bob Smith" from Iowa, I probably wouldn't have looked into his background. You say it was your honor to serve as Obama's running mate and vice president. Let's face it, your eight years in the White House were a disaster. If it hadn't been for you two, Hillary Clinton never would have been named Secretary of State or become a candidate for president. I'll tell you what: it was my honor to stand in her way in 2016. The same is true today. I look forward to standing in your way of being reelected president now.
So there you have it. If you have other examples, like landing on the Moon or Woodstock, please let me know. Joe Biden and Donald Trump are as different as night and day. In my opinion, it is everyone's responsibility to shed light on both of them.
-DF
The most endearing quality of Biden is his enthusiasm and positive spirit. That is what he has in common with Obama. And I actually believe that it is sincere on behalf of both men. Then, in contrast we have Trump who is bombastic, sarcastic and a pompous fool. He never sounds sincere
and he never gives compliments either because in reality he is probably insecure and everything he does or says is to overcompensate. I cannot understand how anyone could like him as a person. The perpetual frown on Ivanka’s face tells it all.