For the Record: Previewing this week’s debates, plus MultiTrump!
We watched this weekend’s Saturday Night Live, and we’ll say this: We haven’t picked a candidate yet, but after a stellar performance we’re definitely considering voting for Siabut she claims that she was born in a thunderstormcan we get interpretive dancers at all future State of the Union addresses
Getting you ready for the week, we have the latest on the two (TWO!) presidential debates, a summary of all the slings and arrows that candidates are facing this week, and yes, lots of SNL Trumposity.
While you’re here, remember to follow the For the Record crew on Twitter (@jmestepa@joannaallhands@RGJBrettMcGsign up for our six-days-a-week e-newsletter.
GRAVITATIONAL PULL DRAWING REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRATIC DEBATES TOGETHER
Two of these this week! Three if you count the GOP pre-debate! Try to contain your enthusiasm. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
This week marks the first time in 2016 that both major parties will hold presidential debates in the same week, an event that astronomers predict won’t happen again until … uh, December.
Tuesday night, it’s the Republican debate in Milwaukeeonly eight candidates on the main stagesparked criticism for the network’s moderatorspledging to ask “the real questions†and have “the real debate on our economy.â€USA TODAY’s Susan PageDavid Callaway
Then on Saturday night (because there’s nothing that makes people cancel their Saturday plans quicker than a presidential debate) it’s the Democrats’ turntotally-not-a-debate forum on MSNBC on FridayHillary ClintonBernie SandersMartin O’MalleyJohn Dickerson because that’s what moderators will be doing from here on out. The Des Moines Register’s Jennifer JacobsHillary Clinton.
CHARACTER COUNTS
Ben Carson, demonstrating his preferred stabbing motion. Â (Jessica Christian/Jackson Citizen Patriot via AP)
Tired of hearing about the issues? Let’s talk about character!
Ben Carson’sCarson says he’s getting more scrutiny than candidate Barack Obama. We’re just wondering how we got to the point where the media is telling a front-running presidential candidate that no, you’re not an attempted murderer.
On Friday, Carly Fiorina. “Well, time to do something different in many ways,†Fiorina said to the voter. Donald TrumpRick SantorumJohn McCain
Meanwhile, Martin O’MalleyBernie Sanders to run against President Obama in 2012. Sanders called the claims “categorically false†during an interview on ABC’s This Week. For what it’s worth, the last time a sitting Democratic president faced a major primary challenge was in 1980, when Ted KennedyJimmy Carter
MORE FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
- October Bernie: I’m sick and tired of hearing about Hillary’s damn emails. November Bernie: Is anyone investigating these emails or nah
- Kasich on medical marijuana: ‘I’m not a doctor;’ actually defers debate to doctors
- Santorum: ‘I’m the only anti-amnesty candidate.’ Trump: ‘Whoa there, Hoss’
- Hillary on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live:’ ‘If I were running against (Bill), would I win? Yeah’
- Best Instagram moments from the campaign. Still in the works: best Friendster posts
THANKFULLY, ONLY ONE OF THE TRUMPS WAS REAL
Donald Trump, lifting the program to four-year highs in the ratingsLarry DavidBernie Sanders; apparently SNL doesn’t have enough white guys among the regular cast members to play Bernie on a regular basis.