Picks, predictions for DraftKings $50,000 Presidential Debate Pool

The final of two Presidential debates in 2020 is Thursday night, October 22nd at the Curb Event Center on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville. President Donald Trump and Vice President Joe Biden take to the stage at 9:00 p.m., and you’ll have a tough time finding a non-sports tv channel that isn’t carrying the event.

Moderator Kristen Welker of NBC News will lead both candidates through six topics, each with a dedicated 15-minute segment.

Fighting COVID-19
American Families
Race in America
Climate Change
National Security
Leadership

But at DraftKings, they’ve got another way to watch with some interest: A $50,000 Presidential Debate Pool that’s free to enter! Answer eight questions about what will happen, what will be said and by whom, and more, and you’ll be on your way to winning some free cash.

Here’s our best guesses at how to answer some of the eight questions at DraftKings Sportsbook:

Which Presidential Candidate will be the first to speak when walking to their podium?

• Donald Trump
• Joe Biden
• Neither candidate speaks when walking to their podium

While Biden greeting Trump at the last debate, it wasn’t shown if Trump said anything back to him. But we think there’s enough bad blood where they’ll just want to get right to it before getting started, especially with social distance involved.

Which Vice Presidential Candidate will be brought up first?

• Kamala Harris
• Mike Pence
• Neither candidate is brought up

Unless it’s in the context of Pence heading up the Covid-19 Task Force, we think it’s more likely Joe Biden mentions his running mate first. He tends to bring her up unprompted on the campaign trail.

Which Presidential Candidate will interrupt the other one first?

* Donald Trump

* Joe Biden

* Neither candidate will interrupt the other one

I think anyone that watched the last debate will make this choice as well. Also the last choice presented by DraftKings is simply adorable. Remember Lincoln and Douglas barnstorming Illinois? See that was over 160 years ago, and that’s not happening.

Which topic will the first question address?

• Supreme Court
• Coronavirus pandemic
• The Economy / Jobs / Taxes
• Global Warming
• Two or more of the listed topics
• None of the listed topics

Since both candidates will be standing so far away from each other and will be divided, addressing the pandemic is the way we think Welker begins the debate.

Which candidate will use the term “preexisting conditions” first?

• Donald Trump
• Joe Biden
• Neither candidate uses the term “preexisting conditions”

Biden will say the President looking to repeal Obamacare in the courts, and that he doesn’t have a plan to replace it or protect preexisting conditions. Trump will say that’s not true, and the fact check is here.

Who will be mentioned first by name by either candidate?

• Amy Coney Barrett
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• None of the above is mentioned

The Supreme Court nominee will be voted on in the Senate as early as Monday.

Who will be mentioned first by either candidate?

* Barack Obama

* Hillary Clinton

* Neither is mentioned

The emphasis from the Vice President on what he often refers to as the Obama-Biden Era means it’s likely the former Senator from Delaware that references our 44th President.

Who will mention Dr. Anthony Fauci first?

* Donald Trump

* Joe Biden

* Neither says “Dr. Fauci”

He’s not exactly the President’s favorite person right now, and Biden won’t be afraid to point that out.

Which state will be mentioned first by either candidate?

• Florida
• Pennsylvania
• Ohio
• Michigan
• North Carolina
• None of the above will be mentioned

We’ll bet on Joe Biden, born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to discuss his place of birth as the first mention. Although he’s not the most famous resident, falling well-behind Michael Scott, Dwight Schrute, and their co-workers, he’s unafraid to bring up his biography.

Trump also might mention he went to the University of Pennsylvania.

Play along below!

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