What started as a virus has mutated into an IQ test. -Unknown

Today’s independent commentary deals with these people/issues:

• Bullock-Daines Debate
• The Debate Poll

BULLOCK-DAINES DEBATE:

I was not that excited to watch the Montana U.S. Senate debate between incumbent first-term Senator Steve Daines (R) and his challenger, Governor Steve Bullock (D). I said earlier this month that it would be like watching paint dry and it was. Even the panel asking the questions were about as boring as they come.

At the end of the debate, I tweeted, “That’s an hour I won’t get back.”

Those who like Daines will believe he won and those who like Bullock will think he won. I have a poll (below) where you can vote.

Daines seemed to be sweating a lot through the debate and his make-up was not that good. Often it looked like Bullock’s head filled the screen because he leaned in to make a point.

I did not see any animals or children run through the room, which could have made the debate more interesting.

The one key part of the whole debate (to me) was when Daines was asked about Trump’s leadership during the pandemic. Here is how Lee Newspapers reported it:

Daines was also asked to rate Trump’s leadership in responding to the virus, which has been a flash point nationally. The website 538, which compiles polling data, found that about 58% of Americans disapprove of how Trump has handled the pandemic. The president downplayed the virus early on, comparing it to the flu and saying by Easter the country would open back up. Daines has been one of Trump’s most staunch supporters and that did not change in his answer during the debate.

“President Trump has led boldly. He’s brought together the great scientists across our government, people that are working right now with the private sector. It takes innovation to break through and stop COVID-19. It’s going to take a vaccine. It’s going to take these therapeutic drugs. So I’m grateful for his leadership in this very difficult time,” Daines said.

The Great Falls Tribune reported it this way:

Daines said Trump has acted “boldly” throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I applaud the president,” he said, noting that early on Trump had halted flights coming in from China.

“I am grateful for his leadership in this very, very difficult time,” Daines said, adding he believed the country was six months away from a COVID-19 breakthrough of drugs and vaccines.

MTN News reported that Daines responded this way:

“President Trump has led boldly,” he said. “He’s brought together the great sciences across our government. … I’m grateful for his leadership in this difficult time.”

After that I tweeted the following:

I can understand why @SteveDaines’ only friend is @realDonaldTrump.

This race will be close and Daines’ backing Trump’s response/leadership during the pandemic will probably cost him some votes, especially from moderates and independents. There are over five million cases and 160,000 deaths from this virus. Many of them are due to the inaction of the President.

THE DEBATE POLL:

Who do you think won the Montana U.S. Senate debate between Steve Daines and Steve Bullock?

Thanks for voting and be sure to tell your friends!

The results will be posted in my Thursday column.

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