# Debate preview and the question of conscience
*2020-09-28*

> Bill Young and John O'Rourke discuss the upcoming presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, focusing on the controversies surrounding Hunter Biden and the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

## Expectations for the Debate

As we approach the big debate between President Trump and former VP Biden, we expect it to be a highly entertaining and informative event. With estimates suggesting between 80 and 100 million people will watch, it will be a moment of 'must-see TV.' While we already know where each candidate stands, this debate will likely reveal the cracks in their arguments and provide a clearer picture for the American people. While Biden has spent decades debating, Trump is also a formidable debater, and we look forward to seeing how they handle the pressure.

## The Hunter Biden Controversy

One of the most pressing issues that we hope is addressed is the matter of Hunter Biden. Specifically, there are reports regarding a $3.5 million payment from the ex-wife of the mayor of Moscow in 2014. While some claim this was a loan, my experience as a former financial analyst at the FBI suggests otherwise. In money laundering cases, 'loans' are often used as a cover. A legitimate loan requires documentation, interest rates, and a repayment schedule—none of which seem to exist here. Furthermore, any such loan from a foreign source should have been declared on tax returns.

It is highly suspicious that the son of the sitting Vice President would receive such a sum from a Russian source, especially given the narrative that Russia is our primary enemy. Reports from Senator Ron Johnson indicate that concerns about these conflicts of interest were raised to Joe Biden's office, suggesting a potential cover-up within the administration. This is a clear conflict of interest that the press largely ignores.

## Judge Amy Coney Barrett and the Faith

We also see a troubling trend in the opposition to Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court. Some critics suggest she is 'too good' of a Catholic because she attends Mass daily and prays constantly. It is absurd to suggest that being a devout Catholic is a disqualification for a judicial position. The role of a judge is to interpret the Constitution, not to rewrite it to fit a political agenda. Judge Barrett's commitment to her faith and her family—including her two adopted children from Haiti—speaks to her character. It is disappointing that some Catholic bishops have remained silent or failed to support her, seemingly due to political alignments with the 'social justice' wing of the Democratic party.

## COVID-19 Response and Planning

There is a significant difference in how the two candidates approach the pandemic. While Biden claims Trump has no plan, the administration has implemented rapid testing that can provide results in 15 minutes, allowing teachers and students to return to classrooms safely. Additionally, the logistics for vaccine distribution are already in place, with the armed services ready to move over 100 million doses as soon as FDA approval is granted. From the initial travel bans to the deployment of hospital ships, the administration has taken concrete actions that the opposition often tries to frame as political or racist, despite the effectiveness of these measures.

*In the battle between good and evil, we must rely on the truth and the protection of St. Michael the Archangel.*