As the highly anticipated debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump approaches, preparations have been in full swing at Camp David over the past week. The focus has been on a wide range of domestic and foreign policy issues that may come up during the debate. However, in addition to policy matters, the Biden team is also bracing for personal insults from Trump.
According to a Biden adviser, debate preparations have included readying Biden to respond to potential ridicule not only directed at the president himself but also at his family. This insight sheds light on the team's comprehensive strategy to anticipate and handle any curveballs that Trump might throw Biden's way, given the former president's unpredictable nature.
The team has prepared for different versions of Trump, ranging from the bombastic and insulting persona seen in the 2020 debates to a more restrained and presidential demeanor. In the event of a restrained Trump, Biden's team aims to provoke him into a more aggressive stance through well-rehearsed attacks and constant rebuttals, believing that such behavior could alienate many voters.
The extensive preparation at Camp David has not gone unnoticed, with Trump mocking Biden for retreating to a 'log cabin to study.' However, this level of preparation is consistent with efforts made by previous presidents to ready themselves for high-stakes debates.
Part of the preparation involves acclimating the president to the experience of standing on stage for 90 minutes with an opponent, adhering to debate rules that differ from the usual protocols for a sitting president. This includes restrictions on using note cards, a tool Biden often relies on, and an agreement that microphones will be muted when it is not his turn to speak.
