Cut the audio.
Please.
In an attempt not to be a snide Sneed by addressing the primarily unsubstantiated slings and anonymous arrows tossed by Republican President Donald Trump at his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, during our nation’s recorked presidential debate Thursday night — let’s silence the audio.
Let’s have a little fun dealing with the video.
Zzzzzzz, you say?
In what is turning out to be a battle for either Joe Biden’s or Donald Trump’s America, the debate visuals were telling.
Consider.
One entered wearing a mask and didn’t break his stride before hitting the debate lectern (Biden).
One did NOT wear a mask and PAUSED cutting into the audience applause — thereby netting an uptick — before hitting the lectern (Trump).
Red State/Blue State.
Red tie (Trump) Blue tie (Biden).
White shirt (both).
TV makeup? Not obvious.
Tan and in technicolor (Trump).
Pale pallor (Biden).
Heads up. Heads down. (Both)
Head roiling (Trump).
Major scowls and neck twist (Trump).
Major smirks and twisted smiles (Biden).
Trump enveloped the lectern as a body part, his thumbs and accordion pumping hands working in time with his mouth.
Biden worked behind the lectern, his hands sometimes leaving its equator to address the viewing public.
One referred to himself as Donald Trump.
The other referred to himself as an American.
CNN fact checker Daniel Dale was prescient when he equated his job Friday night to an “I Love Lucy” sitcom segment starring Lucille Ball — when “Lucy” had so many choices of chocolate on the candy line, she didn’t know which one to pick.
He was referring to many of the unsubstantiated brickbats Trump was tossing at Biden.
A real debate?
Well, close.
The winner?
Both ... for their respective audiences.
But if Trump was hoping to endear himself to “suburban women” by his lack of empathy addressing the plight of 500-plus children separated from their now missing asylum seeking parents, it was a stumble hard to upright.
The Big Boo…
Attention ghosts, fairies and goblins: The White House is welcoming Halloween again this year ... only this time COVID precautions will require face masks for anyone two years or older; guests will be limited, a no touch approach will be in effect when distributing products; and in addition to children ... frontline workers and the military are on the guest list.
The flip side: Of course, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding direct contact with trick or treaters, but ... hey ... this is Trump’s White House and first lady Melania Trump is going along with the program.
Fabric softener…
Looking good: A new wardrobe? A softer look? It’s been noted Mayor Lori Lightfoot has lately added a pearl necklace and been sporting softened suit attire to press conferences lately.
Sneedlings . . .
Saturday birthdays: Drake, 34; Wayne Rooney, 35; and Eric Hosmor, 31. . . . Sunday birthdays: Ciara, 35; Katy Perry, 36; and Craig Robinson, 49.
Michael Sneed
Chicago Sun-TimesFormer columnist
