“As the debate ended, The Wall Street Journal published a brief item, just the stub of Areddy and Duehren’s reporting. The core of it was that Bobulinski had failed to prove the central claim. ‘Corporate records reviewed by The Wall Street Journal show no role for Joe Biden,’ The Journal reported.” Ben Smith: Trump Had One Last Story to Sell. The Wall Street Journal Wouldn’t Buy It.

+ This smear didn’t stick. And, aside from the (admittedly growing) QAnon fringe, none of the other ones have either. WaPo: Joe Biden has emerged more popular as he closes in on a job he has wanted for decades. No presidential candidate sees their approval ratings go up during a campaign. Until now.