All that the thing on ABC tonight will have in common with a debate is two lecterns and two people...er, ah…one person and a mental health crisis in a jacket that doesn’t have the sleeves tied behind it. Other than that, to call these quadrennial Q&A sessions debates debases the moral and mental acuity of the viewing audience and the English language itself.

I have for years puzzled over the idea that a “debate prep” is necessary for any Democrat facing Donald Trump before a live television audience. There is only one preparation necessary for a “debate” with Donald Trump: provision of the vocal cords with enough throat spray to prevent going hoarse as you utter the phrase “that’s a lie” for the seventy-seventh time.

Every time the Republican candidate opens his mouth, a falsehood will fly forth. Kamala Harris can expect a flood of what we in les temps ancien used to call doozies from her opponent. He’s going to “round up and deport” 10 million or 15 million or 20 million – whatever number jumps into his head — “illegal” immigrants. That’s a lie. His own staff, augmented by Secret Service and local and state law enforcement, can’t handle vetting the several thousand people who show up for his outdoor rallies, and they show up voluntarily and equipped with whatever form of identification that is required. He said on his social platform that he is going to put........

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