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Face Off at the Last Chance Corral

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 29: President Donald Trump participates in the first presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post) — President Donald Trump participates in the first presidential debate with Democratic candidate Joe Biden at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio on September 29, 2020. (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washingt... President Donald Trump participates in the first presidential debate with Democratic candidate Joe Biden at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio on September 29, 2020. (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images) MORE LESS

By Josh Marshall

October 22, 2020 11:33 a.m.

THE BACKCHANNEL

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Ever since the debacle of the first presidential debate we’ve been hearing that President Trump has to be nicer in the next face off and let Joe Biden (or even just the moderator) talk. Numerous articles in recent days purport to quote top Trump advisors saying this, demanding this. I have no doubt they’re saying this and may even believe it. But it seems basically a certainty that in tonight’s final debate – likely the last chance to change the dynamic of the race – President Trump will be every bit as aggressive, feral and rage-soaked as he was three weeks ago.

Indeed, we should expect it to be worse.

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