The Last Hurrah

An "Unpresidential" Debate & The View from Washington with Dan Lippman

October 02, 2020 UCD Clinton Institute Season 2 Episode 2
An "Unpresidential" Debate & The View from Washington with Dan Lippman
The Last Hurrah
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The Last Hurrah
An "Unpresidential" Debate & The View from Washington with Dan Lippman
Oct 02, 2020 Season 2 Episode 2
UCD Clinton Institute

It was a presidential debate like none other, characterized not by an exchange of ideas or inspirational rhetoric, but by petty barbs and relentless interruptions. The public learned little about the candidate’s policy platforms, as questions of public health and the economy were largely left unanswered and the President fanned the flames of racial animosity. 

Civility and decorum were overpowered by insult and lies. 

What was made clear by this debate -- if it can be called that -- is this President, this election, and, indeed, American democracy itself, seems to be in a state of dysfunction. 

To find out whether Washington politics appears as dysfunctional from the inside as it does the outside, Liam and Scott caught up with Dan Lippman. Dan’s a reporter covering the White House for Politico and was, for years, the co-author of Politico's Playbook.

Show Notes

It was a presidential debate like none other, characterized not by an exchange of ideas or inspirational rhetoric, but by petty barbs and relentless interruptions. The public learned little about the candidate’s policy platforms, as questions of public health and the economy were largely left unanswered and the President fanned the flames of racial animosity. 

Civility and decorum were overpowered by insult and lies. 

What was made clear by this debate -- if it can be called that -- is this President, this election, and, indeed, American democracy itself, seems to be in a state of dysfunction. 

To find out whether Washington politics appears as dysfunctional from the inside as it does the outside, Liam and Scott caught up with Dan Lippman. Dan’s a reporter covering the White House for Politico and was, for years, the co-author of Politico's Playbook.