My conclusion: Trump was Trump. Biden was Biden. The moderator was not in control. The chaos was an embarrassment to our country all around the world.
Many scholars thought that Kennedy won the first televised debate. And those who listened on the radio thought Nixon won. Nixon sounded more informed on the issues. Kennedy was more charismatic.
I suggest that “selective perception” was probably in full swing during this debate. If you started out liking Biden you probably became more committed. And vice versa if you liked Trump.
But many others probably got totally frustrated, even embarrassed at all the shouting. They might even be thinking they will not vote at all. But not voting is still voting, and that’s not a good solution. You must vote.
And there always are a few undecideds looking for a reason to make a choice. In the past, these people often found one or the other slightly more likable. So a few votes might have been decided this way.
Bottom line: Most political scientists I know have concluded that debates rarely change people’s minds. They become reinforced in what they already thought. Is that what happened to you?
That said, this country does not need another debate like this.
Larry D. Lauer 
I agree. It was incredibly frustrating. I couldn’t stop yelling at the TV, saying bad things about Chris Wallace. When you wrestle
With pigs you’re going to get dirty. I thought Trump made Biden look weak,
But Trump looked like an out of control bully. But it is hard for me to be unbiased with regards to Trump. I detest the man.
I agree! I have been a student of American politics since I was a teenager and I just cannot believe what I witnessed tonight. Trump is an extremely disturbing man and he needs mental health treatment. He needs to resign and get help!
Larry, if people came away from the debate saying, “A pox on both your houses,” then Donald Trump won the debate. His was a deliberate attempt to harm the legitimacy of the electoral process. He wants to discourage voting by claiming that it’s all a rigged game. This is how democracy dies. And no, both sides are not equally to blame. As you say, “You must vote.”
Correct on all points my friend. I think the most significant words of the debate were, “Proud Boys, stand down and stand by.” This sounds like he wants his white supremacists on ‘stand-by alert’ for when he needs them to unpack their assault rifles and put on their camo gear and become intimidating poll watchers. I hope the local authorities are able to adequately police this without violence.
With a real AG, this order by the Pres might be called out for what it is – an incitement to violence; surely illegal in some way.
Dennis Scifres
Cell 817 239-0600