Voices
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Who knew we'd ever be in this place? The idea of Donald Trump -- an unsuccesful real estate developer and fired reality television star -- as president of the United States would have been laughable two years ago. But as Morrissey famously said, "That joke isn't funny anymore."
Now teamed up with one of the nation's most infamous homophobes -- Indiana Gov. Mike Pence -- and working with the ugliest figures in the racist, homophobic, transphobic, nationalistic alt-right movement, Trump has put himself within striking distance of our nuclear codes. The only thing standing in his way is former senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Clinton leads Trump in most national polls, though the Republican is ahead in crucial swing states like Ohio, Nevada, and North Carolina. A bad performance on Monday, by either candidate, could upset the whole race.
The debate takes place at New York's Hofstra University, begins at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific, and should be airing on all major channels; it's also streamable. The debate's themes are "achieving prosperity," "securing America," and "America's direction." NBC's Lester Holt is moderating.
Here's what must happen Monday.
Donald Trump must be asked the hard questions.
NBC lightweights like Matt Lauer and Jimmy Fallon either threw softballs or petted whatever's on Trump's head during their interviews with him. Lester Holt is also associated with NBC, which has long profited from his brand (Celebrity Apprentice, Miss USA, Saturday Night Live). Holt must hold Trump to the same standards as Clinton and ask how he truly intends to take on ISIS and will lift up the lower and middle classes. Which nations will he work with? What people? Trump's bombast and drivel won't cut it; specifics are a requirement.
The issue of policing must be a subject.
It's not one of the three themes planned for Monday, but with what's happening in Charlotte and Tulsa, it's a requirement. A Tulsa officer is now facing manslaughter charges for shooting an unarmed black man, Terence Crutcher. How can police be better trained to deal with people of color as well as transgender people? This is a major issue to the American public and must be treated as such.
Trump's hateful, inflammatory campaign must be called out by Clinton.
Even if Clinton wins in November, we will still have to deal with the mess Trump made. Trump gladly embraced racism in his campaign, hiring alt-right leaders like homophobic Stephen Bannon and noted misogynist (and homophobe) Roger Ailes to run his campaign. Trump and his children retweet racist and sexist quotes and images and denigrate Latinos and the entire religion of Islam. Following the Pulse shooting, the campaign's supporters regularly tried to pit the LGBT community against Muslims. Stirring up hate to win an election is indeed "deplorable," and Clinton needs to remind America of that.
\u201c"@TarukMatuk: @CNN @FoxNews @realDonaldTrump @RogerRice10 Refugees from Syria over 10k plus more coming. Lots young males, poorly vetted.\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1474288048
Clinton must remind people of the only reason to vote for Trump.
The Republican nominee offers zero real solutions when it comes to the economy and national security. His immigration plan is a race-baiting joke (we're never building a wall from California to Texas and even his supporters know that) and he hasn't even tried to educate himself about world affairs. Trump wants to roll back Wall Street, food, and environmental regulations and doesn't believe in global warming. The only real reason someone could vote for him is because they either hate Clinton more than they love their country or they love racism and Islamophobia more than they love the United States. Clinton will have to find an eloquent way to point that out so no rational person could go to the ballot box November 8 and pull the lever for Trump.
Clinton must rise above Trump's bullying.
We saw in the Republican debates how Trump resorted to name-calling ("Little Marco," "Crooked Ted") to generate laughs and humiliate his opponents. Don't doubt he'll try to go there again. Should Trump try to humiliate Clinton by bringing up her husband's affairs or even her bout with pneumonia, Clinton must rise above it -- don't hit back and bring up his numerous divorces -- and Holt must condemn the behavior.
Cross your fingers.
Nbroverman
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
30 Steamy Photos of Folsom Street Fair 2023 Debauchery
October 15 2023 11:06 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
60 Burly Pics from Bearrison Street Fair 2022
October 08 2023 8:30 PM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Check out the lesbian wedding at the center of 'Anyone But You'
March 16 2024 12:41 PM
This women’s roller derby league is standing up for trans athletes by suing their county
March 16 2024 12:29 PM
Oprah, Niecy Nash-Betts, Out win big at GLAAD awards
March 15 2024 7:28 PM
Pence says he ‘cannot in good conscience’ endorse Trump
March 15 2024 6:03 PM
From contradictions to compassion, the LDS Church struggles with LGBTQ+ inclusion
March 15 2024 4:30 PM
Kamala Harris celebrates Irish prime minister and his husband at St. Patrick’s Day event
March 15 2024 3:09 PM
Editor Q&A: Florida can 'say gay,' and what motivates LGBTQ+ voters
March 15 2024 2:54 PM
Toxicology experts say death from medications in Nex Benedict case ‘very, very uncommon’
March 15 2024 2:51 PM
Republican Ohio senate candidate Bernie Moreno’s LGBTQ+ hypocrisy exposed
March 15 2024 1:41 PM
Gay councilman resigns after drunken urination video and alleged assault
March 15 2024 11:16 AM
A new bill would enhance LGBTQ+ youth mental health services
March 15 2024 8:00 AM
Yes, J.K. Rowling, the Nazis persecuted trans people, burned books
March 15 2024 6:00 AM
Alleged shooter who killed two at Oslo Pride stands trial
March 14 2024 9:44 PM
Missing Washington transgender woman found dead in Mexico
March 14 2024 7:34 PM
Trending stories
Most Recent
Recommended Stories for You
Neal Broverman
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.