When You Have Nothing Else, Play the Race Card [OPINION]

So the first presidential debate of the 2020 campaign is in the books, and what are we left with? President Donald J. Trump is a racist who supports white supremacist groups, and by extension, so are you. Isn't that where we started?

Trump kicked Democrat challenger Joe Biden's ass up and down the debate stage on Tuesday despite moderator Chris Wallace running interference for Biden.

Trump left Biden cowering on the issue of corruption. The former vice president was staggering while trying to recall a single law enforcement agency that endorsed his candidacy. Trump forced the nominee to distance himself from his base by getting him to denounce the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and defunding the police, three cornerstones of his campaign despite the Biden people's attempts to spin his platform as his own, differing plans.

Trump was able to out Joe Biden as a friend of socialism, fearful of admitting his intent to pack the Supreme Court, and eager to shut down the economy over COVID-19. All of this while holding a shrieking Wallace at bay.

So what is the media's key takeaway from the debate? Trump "refused" to denounce white supremacists, a total fabrication of the truth. Pure garbage. But when you can't win the debate on issues, you accuse the other guy of being a racist.

Just months after taking office in 2017, President Trump said the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, and white supremacists were "repugnant" to everything Americans holds dear. Last Friday, Trump declared the KKK to be a terrorist organization.

If you want to have a discussion on racism just research some of the comments Biden has made concerning Black Americans. His voting record is a jaw dropped as well.

Trump did not say the Proud Boys were on standby until after the election. Read the debate transcript. That is just more fake news from the media and Joe Biden. When you can't beat your opponent on the issues, you resort to name-calling and race-baiting.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.