06-21-2024, 10:58 PM
(06-21-2024, 05:40 PM)samhain Wrote: If I were advising Trump (as if he really lets anyone do that), I would never have agreed to this debate. It's fraught for Biden, no doubt, but I think it's worse for Trump.
Without a public debate, the narrative on Biden being compromised cognitively is about as established as it could be. All Trump can do is either seem more alert, as expected, or seem similar if not worse that Biden. He also always runs the risk of making an extremely damaging (to himself) off the cuff statement that Biden capitalizes on.
Also, as implied earlier, it's gravy for the Dems in general. If Trump comes out and absolutely annihilates Biden, then it becomes very plausible for the party to find a new candidate before or at the convention.
The best thing Trump could do is show up with restrained demeanor and stick to issues over personal attacks and grievances. That's about as likely as RFK Jr (maybe even senior) becoming the Dem nominee.
This is sink or swim for Joe. He gets a puncher's chance. If he can't take advantage, then the party might start feeling the need to find a more formidable candidate. My guess is that they're already looking.
I agree with all this. This is possibly where Trump's ego puts him into the same spot that lost him in the last debate and election. Biden is drowning, all Trump can do by talking is throw him a lifeline. I could hope that Trump learned from his mistakes and comes out like a gentleman and has an awesome debate, but that's like the elephant hanging off a cliff by a dandelion thing.