Watch Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump talk like robots
NPR.com
It's a disconcerting time for debate moderators.
It's not clear what they're job is supposed to be. Should they fact check the presidential candidates during the debates, or just moderate and let the candidates fact-check each other? The latter seems to be the more agreed-upon way to go, so it falls to the media to fact check our candidates for us. Enter NPR, of the superb NPR Politics podcast, whose episodes I hardly miss. This year, NPR had a live fact-checker on their website, which I at first thought was an excellent idea.
And then I started reading. I'm not sure if this was a poor person transcribing the debate live, or a bot trying to catch up with the bombast and the posturing. Either way, the results were pretty hilarious. Here are some excerpts:
LESTER HOLT: We moved our next segment talking about America's direction. Let's start by talking about race. The share of Americans is a race relations are bad in this country is the highest it's been in decades. Much of an amplified it by shootings of African-Americans by police as we have seen recently in Charlotte and Tulsa. Race has been a big issue in this campaign and one of you is going to have to grant you a very wide and bitter gap. So how do you heal divide. Secretary quit and get two minutes on this?
HILLARY CLINTON: While I've heard I've heard Donald Titus at his rallies and it's really unfortunate that he paid such a dire negative picture of black communities in our country into the vibrancy of the black church the black businesses that employ so many people the opportunities that so many families are working to provide for their kids there is a lot that we should be proud of and we should be supporting and lifting up.
DONALD TRUMP: White?
(LAUGHTER)
HILLARY CLINTON: Why not, Why not? You have, joined a bit by saying crazy things.
DONALD TRUMP: I would like to respond. Versatile, got to watch and prepare some of his new debates against Barack Obama. You to a terrible business for. And I watch the way you talk now about how lovely everything is and how wonderful you were. Eight of the work that way. You are after him. You are trying to -- be a visit out, campaigns without, figures on him in a certain garb -- . with pictures. , you deny that.
LESTER HOLT: All Right, to minute on the same question to defend tax increases on the wealthiest Americans, J Clinton.
HILLARY CLINTON: I have a feeling I'm a feeling about an abyss in, a revenue ever happen. I think dump just criticized me for preparing for this debate.
LESTER HOLT: Yet two minutes the same question -- Message out, was behind it?
DONALD TRUMP: I do want to say that I and I was is endorsed and there'll be -- animal in general endorse me to leave this country. That does happen, and many more coming. And I'm very proud of it.
LESTER HOLT: Secretary Clinton?
HILLARY CLINTON: I think there are number of issues that we should be addressing. I have put forth a plan to do the Isys. It does involve going after them online.
LESTER HOLT: One of you will not win this election. So my final question to you tonight are you willing to accept the outcome as the will of the voters secretary Clinton.
HILLARY CLINTON: Lies for our democracy and sometimes you and sometimes you lose but I certainly will support the outcome of this election.
LESTER HOLT: Mister Trump very quickly . will you accept the outcome is a will the voters?
DONALD TRUMP: I want to make America great again I'm unable to do it I don't believe Hillary will the answer is if she wins I will absolutely support her.