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Thread on #Debates2020 
1/11
I like international media's takes on US politics because they tend to be more clear-eyed than the polarized and frankly, propaganda filled US takes.
A quick peruse of international media views of last night's "debate" reveal the following:
1/11I like international media's takes on US politics because they tend to be more clear-eyed than the polarized and frankly, propaganda filled US takes.
A quick peruse of international media views of last night's "debate" reveal the following:
2/11
"Given an opportunity to condemn white supremacist groups like the Proud Boys, Trump equivocated. He stumbled in his answer on global warming. And he was self-congratulatory about his response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 Americans."
"Given an opportunity to condemn white supremacist groups like the Proud Boys, Trump equivocated. He stumbled in his answer on global warming. And he was self-congratulatory about his response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 Americans."
3/11
"Trump’s performance was all about wallpapering over the gaps in his knowledge with insults, taunts, and empty promises."
"Trump’s performance was all about wallpapering over the gaps in his knowledge with insults, taunts, and empty promises."
4/11
"As the debate progressed, Trump grew increasingly manic. By the time he got to “forest cities” and leftists overrunning America’s cities, any sense of self-control had collapsed. Trump ranted and raved like – well, like the crazy, old fool that Biden was supposed to be."
"As the debate progressed, Trump grew increasingly manic. By the time he got to “forest cities” and leftists overrunning America’s cities, any sense of self-control had collapsed. Trump ranted and raved like – well, like the crazy, old fool that Biden was supposed to be."
5/11
"In an effort to “throw Biden off his game”, Trump was “disruptive beyond any precedent we have seen in a presidential debate”
"In an effort to “throw Biden off his game”, Trump was “disruptive beyond any precedent we have seen in a presidential debate”
6/11
“Biden’s mission was to protect his lead, which he did. Trump’s mission was to move the needle, which he did not”
“Biden’s mission was to protect his lead, which he did. Trump’s mission was to move the needle, which he did not”
7/11
"Trump refused to condemn white supremacy."
"Trump refused to condemn white supremacy."
"Trump refused to condemn white supremacy."
"Trump refused to condemn white supremacy."
"Trump refused to condemn white supremacy."
"Trump refused to condemn white supremacy."
"Trump refused to condemn white supremacy."
"Trump refused to condemn white supremacy."
8/11
"With a few exceptions, Biden demonstrated that he had thoroughly absorbed the lessons of his debate preparation. He knew when to step back, and when to detonate his rehearsed lines – even though Trump stepped right over a lot of them."
"With a few exceptions, Biden demonstrated that he had thoroughly absorbed the lessons of his debate preparation. He knew when to step back, and when to detonate his rehearsed lines – even though Trump stepped right over a lot of them."
9/11
"Trump, by contrast, kept things focused squarely on himself – his stellar "achievements," his endless grievances, his bizarre conspiracy theories."
"Trump, by contrast, kept things focused squarely on himself – his stellar "achievements," his endless grievances, his bizarre conspiracy theories."
10/11
"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by"
"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by"
"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by"
"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by"
"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by"
"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by"
"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by"
"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by"
11/11
"Donald Trump, by his constant hectoring and interruptions, seldom gave the former vice-president a chance to say something truly damaging to his own cause."
"Donald Trump, by his constant hectoring and interruptions, seldom gave the former vice-president a chance to say something truly damaging to his own cause."
In summary, the international media from Europe to Asia to Latin America, characterized the debate as:
"Trump doesn't know what he is doing and acts like a giant buffoon in hopes no one will notice."
"Trump doesn't know what he is doing and acts like a giant buffoon in hopes no one will notice."
