It will probably come as a great surprise to viewers and pundits if the June 27 debate moves the political needle one way or the other. Will Biden deliver the goods to alter the dead heat race, improve his numbers with the angered youth, and close the gap he faces with Trump in the key battleground states?
Which candidate will take advantage of this moment that will be under the jurisdiction, so to speak, of CNN, with its rules, no audience, and muffled mics when one opponent is speaking? We have more questions than those possibly posed by the commentators.
One of the concerns being raised by interested parties is how early the debate is occurring with the next one not scheduled until sometime in September. Issues such as inflation and immigration are sure to be among those raised, and the Biden team ought to be ready for this one, just as the Trump team should be prepared for a response to his conviction and July sentencing.
Debates rarely have provided a turning point in an election. This may not be the case however with this one, during a time many experts have defined as an inflection moment—possibly a significant element in separating the contenders, both of whom are old candidates with troubling political baggage.
A mumbling, stumbling Biden has a degree of advantage over a foul-mouthed, insult-hurling Trump, but, as they say in tennis, so much depends on who holds serve, particularly with their political base. What may be of importance to voters is the extent to which of the candidates are fit for the job, one on the age factor and the other on mental acuity.
To be sure, the war between Israel and Hamas, the ongoing combat in the Ukraine, and the United States involvement in both conflicts will be thrown at them. Then there’s the question of Trump’s running mate, which may not be disclosed until the Republican convention. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Sen. Marc Rubio of Florida are being discussed as the frontrunners.
Many experts believe Biden should focus on his successes, particularly as it pertains to student debt relief, employment increases, and lower costs for prescription drugs. Meanwhile, Trump can gloat about the amount of donations he’s raised since his conviction and that the last election was stolen. Let’s hope the results are not a pile of insults from Trump and miscues from Biden, and a real debate and not a debacle.
Stay tuned.
