Biden’s High-Stakes Debate Gamble Risks and Rewards

[Social Media]

 

Kudos to Team Biden for successfully landing the first punch in the presidential free-for-all (aka, the campaign). By challenging Donald Trump to a debate and dictating the terms of play, President Biden left his opponent with two impossible choices: decline the opportunity to face off against Biden on national TV and be declared a coward, or agree to the meet, even knowing the playing field is tilted in favor of the incumbent.

 

President Biden's decision to challenge former President Donald Trump to a debate marks a significant strategic move in the upcoming election campaign. By initiating the debate and setting its terms, Biden has cleverly maneuvered Trump into a difficult position. Trump must either accept the debate, risking an unfavorable setup, or decline, potentially appearing cowardly to the public. This tactic puts Biden in a proactive stance, but it is fraught with its own set of risks.

 

Will it matter that the Trump campaign got snookered? Almost certainly not. For the same reason that the absurd 14-second video in which the president dares Trump to “make my day” required five “cuts” to get it right, 81-year-old Biden is still likely to lose round 2. Despite the initial advantage, the effectiveness of Biden's challenge is questionable. The infamous 14-second video where Biden challenges Trump to "make my day" is a telling example of Biden's vulnerabilities. Reports that it took five attempts to get the video right highlight concerns about Biden's performance under pressure. Given these issues, Biden may struggle in a debate scenario.

 

Not that it’s a slam-dunk for former President Trump. Biden is correct; Trump did lose the 2020 debates. He had apparently been coached to be combative, in hopes that Biden would overreact and reveal his “angry old man” persona. The tactic backfired spectacularly; Trump came across as unlikeable. If Biden or the moderators goad the former president on his January 6 behavior or reference his many legal troubles, Trump could again get angry. That disastrous encounter cost him the election; it could happen again.

 

Trump's performance in the 2020 debates was widely criticized, with his aggressive approach backfiring. If moderators or Biden himself manage to provoke Trump by referencing his role in the January 6 Capitol attack or his numerous legal issues, Trump could react poorly once again. This scenario could lead to a repeat of his 2020 debate failure, damaging his campaign. Expectations will be incredibly low for his opponent, as they were for this year’s State of the Union address. After that speech in February, critics described Biden as being hopped up on stimulants; the president spoke in an unnatural, rapid-fire manner that nonetheless got the job done. Worried that Biden will get a similar boost to endure a two-hour debate, some on the right — including Trump — have called for drug testing before the debates; that won’t happen.

 

Low expectations can work in Biden's favor. Similar to his State of the Union address, where he surprised critics despite accusations of using stimulants, Biden might exceed the modest expectations set for him. Calls for pre-debate drug testing, primarily from Trump supporters, are unlikely to be met, leaving room for speculation about Biden’s debate performance. Biden’s handlers are doing everything possible to give the president an edge. The first showdown will be on June 27, moderated by CNN anchors Dana Bash and Jake Tapper, both known Trump antagonists. Tapper famously and energetically pushed the Russiagate hoax and celebrated Biden’s 2020 election. Bash, meanwhile, has slammed the former president’s campaign rhetoric as “outright lies” and has criticized him on a host of issues.

 

The Biden team is meticulously planning to create a favorable environment for their candidate. The first debate, set for June 27, will be moderated by CNN's Dana Bash and Jake Tapper, both critics of Trump. Tapper's aggressive stance during the Russiagate controversy and Bash's harsh critique of Trump's rhetoric could help create a challenging environment for Trump, potentially aiding Biden. The Biden camp has also insisted there be no audience, fearful that Trump would feed off the enthusiasm of his supporters.

 

Biden’s decision to debate Trump reflects desperation. Polls show Biden trailing Trump in key swing states, while the former president’s huge rally in azure-blue New Jersey was astonishing. Rabbits are being pulled out of hats — talk of an executive order to control the border, supposedly labor-friendly tariffs on China, hints that the Democratic convention might go virtual— it appears everything is on the table. Time is running out to turn around the public’s dismal view of his presidency. Hence, Biden will go for broke and debate his rival. He has no choice.

 

Opinion by Liz Peek

 

Credit: The Hill 2024-05-21

 

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[KhunLA]

Not exactly news, just a pro biden editorial 

 

biden, no script, no teleprompter ... not a good political move IMHO

[Tug]

49 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Not exactly news, just a pro biden editorial 

 

biden, no script, no teleprompter ... not a good political move IMHO

I beg to differ Joe has lots and lots of real world experience in matters of state and diplomacy.trump has experience of being a loud mouth New Yorker with a big mouth and money.without an open Mike to make a circus trump will get clobbered bigley!!

[Hanaguma]

Yes, stunning and brave! Biden courageously agreed to debate IF his conditions were met.  Wow.  It may backfire though, if team Trump preps their candidate right. That's a big 'if' though.

 

I am most looking forward to the VP debate or debates once Trump picks a running mate. Let's be honest, the odds of Biden actually surviving the entire 4 years if he is re-elected are less than good. Even Trump, given his age and health, might not survive a full term. That makes the VP choices very  very important. 

[Gandtee]

7 hours ago, Tug said:

I beg to differ Joe has lots and lots of real world experience in matters of state and diplomacy.trump has experience of being a loud mouth New Yorker with a big mouth and money.without an open Mike to make a circus trump will get clobbered bigley!!

Yes, Biden has the experience but unfortunately he is well past his sell by date. I think he may struggle in the suggested two hour debate. But you can't turn the clock back. One wonders who is the next leader of the Democrats in waiting?

[jingjai9]

Maybe if Trump has second thoughts about this debate with no audience and mics being silenced if the speaker goes beyond the specified time limit, he could insist RFK Jr. be included.

[Irish star]

Trump Rally was a Joke , most left snd numbers highly inflated , who wrote this Drivel 

[Irish star]

22 hours ago, Gandtee said:

Yes, Biden has the experience but unfortunately he is well past his sell by date. I think he may struggle in the suggested two hour debate. But you can't turn the clock back. One wonders who is the next leader of the Democrats in waiting?

Newsome , Crockett 

[Irish star]

22 hours ago, Gandtee said:

Yes, Biden has the experience but unfortunately he is well past his sell by date. I think he may struggle in the suggested two hour debate. But you can't turn the clock back. One wonders who is the next leader of the Democrats in waiting?

What about Dementia Donnie rambling about Obama Gettysburg lol

[Gandtee]

1 hour ago, Irish star said:

What about Dementia Donnie rambling about Obama Gettysburg lol

'They're coming to take me away aha. They're coming to take me away.'😉

[Gandtee]

2 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

'They're coming to take me away aha. They're coming to take me away.'😉