Needs more Tambourine Guy. (I would pay a bazillion dollars for him to come running out.)

Well, that was the best speech I've ever heard Hillary Clinton give in her entire career.

I wasn't able to bring myself to watch much of the Republican primary debates. Did any of the other candidates come out swinging at Trump like that? Because given his temperament, I can't imagine him letting that kind of challenge go by without having a very public meltdown that makes his feuds with Rosie O'Donnell and Megyn Kelley look mature and reasoned in comparison.

That was a hell of a speech. She hit just about every point I would have wanted, other than calling out environmental conservation (not just climate change). I also would have loved to see some commentary about the GOP's proposed privatization of the public lands.

All that said, I feel so much better. For one thing, I won't be out of a job on January 21.

The debates are going to be a bloodbath. Trump's handlers are going to have to put a shock collar on him to stop him attacking.

edit: physically attacking, at that.

My bet is he will make some absurd demand or excuse and refuse the debate.

A good night. Too tired for more than thay.

My bet is he will make some absurd demand or excuse and refuse the debate.

That's what I'm expecting, too.

Can he get out of debates?

Will his ego let him?

On the one hand I'm sure he doesn't want to debate but on the other hand if he doesn't debate he's backing down. From a woman no less. Unless he can figure out some plausible way to spin it so it doesn't look like he's backing down.

Which I can't see but I'm sure he's got people he's promised to pay who will spin something for him.

I think Trump has the advantage in the debates. He's difficult to prepare for since who knows what the hell he's going to say, he's very good at just saying shit that has no connection to reality and getting away with it, and he's good at putting on a show. Debates aren't about issues and policy and the stuff that Clinton is good at, they are about the performance. When people bring up make or break moments in presidential debates, it's never about substance, it's about the best zinger or who was too stiff and that sort of stuff.

they are about the performance.

Yeah, but he's proven in interviews that he gets angry and blustery when he can't answer a question, so all it will take is a little pushback from Clinton -- or even a moderator -- and he's likely to blow his top.

Not all performances -- even bombastic ones -- are good.

Also, Trump as the advantage of not being a woman. There's that double standard that woman have to deal with trying to come across as strong. It sucks, but it's out there. Hillary has to walk a tight rope while Trump can do whatever the fuck he wants.

I think it'll be tough.