In HBO’s terrific documentary , a surly 86-year-old Texas Renaissance Festival owner who calls himself King George of his empire to a new generation of leadership. As a result, everyone around him is engulfed in anxiety and chaos. This week, we have a televised debate between two King Georges who are likewise determined to maintain power, except they’re vying for control of nukes and domestic policy instead of turkey legs and kettle corn.
We’ve heard it before: The this is a rematch most Americans don’t want. Biden and Trump are the two oldest major party candidates ever to get on the ballot. And with their first clash of 2024 airing Thursday, the bar has never been lower for both debate performances.
Democrats simply hope Biden can hold it together without sounding like he’s mentally slipping. Republicans are praying Trump doesn’t act too crazy (and hope he doesn’t sound like he’s mentally slipping, of Trump meandering nonsensically). We’re being told this debate is the most consequential ever.
If one candidate (or both!) goes entirely off the rails, it just might be. Otherwise, we already know these guys — well. A presidential debate used to be: Which candidate has a more inspiring vision for America’s future and gives viewers the most confidence in their leadership? This debate is: Which candidate can stand and speak for 90 minutes and not make us feel sad and scared? It’s like a choice between a man who’ll do a bad job by accident and a man who�.