Ok, I developed my strategy for a post-debate discussion in class. Here goes. This is untested, and they may not want to discuss this at all. 1. I want to frame in terms of 2 features: debates are a ritual of democracy that celebrates legitimate opposition (see @jbview) 1/x

That broke down last night as it's been breaking down in politics overall, 2. debates aren't really about deliberating or discussing issues. they're about scoring points. so is our politics! but even that broke down last night in key ways. (tie in w/ @LilyMasonPhD work) 2/x

Next, I want to talk about demobilization strategies by Trump - focus on Biden and character, attempt to divide the left (why this could've been a persuasion strategy 15 years ago maybe), delegitimize the election. 3/x

Finally, a discussion of which norm-breaking things were truly out of the bounds of democratic discourse - interrupting, white supremacy, name-calling - separating bad tv from bad democracy, exploring grey area/disagreement on the line. 4/4