Noise, Nonsense, Hyperbole, Histrionics and Hysterics

So I will never make that mistake again. I think.

Before the first (and only) debate between Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump, I counselled others not to consider the evening of any import. We were all sufficiently aware of the weaknesses and tendencies of each candidate that would inevitably surface, but their exposure would soon be forgotten in the fog of the endless election cycle. Mere hiccups that would be of no permanent consequence. Oops.

I would, without the benefit of this hindsight, have cautioned against placing too many eggs in the September 10th basket. Before the Biden debacle, can we recall any presidential debate since the sweat dripped from Nixon's upper lip that caused a lasting tectonic shift in the electorate? 

Ms. Harris has essentially been untouched by human hands since her ascension, avoiding confrontational situations (like interviews or press conferences) with consummate ease. Will a soft underbelly be exposed at the debate? Will inconsistencies in her policies over the years be magnified? Will the slings and arrows from Mr. Trump's arsenal of grade school insults land? Or will Ms. Harris continue to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee ?

I still believe that debates, sound bites so light on substance, merely feed the argument for those already in one's corner. But the sight of Mr. Biden fumbling, stumbling, bumbling, mumbling and crumbling within but seconds of taking that stage will not allow me, ever again, to speak with such resolute certainty.

History will not permit me a cavalier assessment of the meaning of Trump v Harris round one. There may well be an actual winner emerging from the noise and nonsense, the hyperbole, histrionics and hysterics of that evening.

But I still wouldn't bet on it.