Abbreviated Pundit Roundup: So there was a debate last night ...

Abbreviated Pundit Roundup is a long-running series published every morning that collects essential political discussion and analysis around the internet.

This was not a great debate for Joe Biden (in fact, not good at all), but also not a great debate (in fact, not good at all) for Donald Trump. Those who wanted different candidates will be reassured that their instincts were correct. 

Biden seemed old and tired, but improved in the latter part of the debate. Trump was insane throughout. That’s the choice for November.

As for the ultimate effect? See John Sides/Good Authority:

Why it’s gotten harder to predict the outcome of the 2024 debates

A new schedule means that the old research and history may not apply.

But this year’s schedule creates the potential for something different.

For one, the first debate will take place quite early. There should be more undecided voters than there will be in October. And we know that Joe Biden has work to do rallying Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters. If Biden “wins” the debate – I use scare quotes because these judgments are always subjective – it could boost his standing within the party even before the Democratic convention.

Then there is the Republican convention from July 15-18 and the Democratic convention from August 19-22. This will allow us to observe the potential impact of each. In some years, like 2020, the party conventions are so close together that you can barely see any impact of the first before the second one kicks in. But note also that party conventions have had smaller effects in recent elections.

The second debate on Sept. 10 will also take place earlier than the first debate typically has. So, once again, there could be potential for the polls to move. Moreover, convention bumps sometimes decay and either candidate could benefit from a highly publicized victory in the September debate.

But then…there will be almost 2 months until Election Day. That’s plenty of time for any impact of the final debate to disappear, or another late-breaking event to override the debate’s impact.