As the 2024 presidential race heats up, President Joe Biden is hunkering down at Camp David for a week of intense drug therapy debate prep.
The upcoming face-off with Donald Trump in Atlanta this Thursday has suddenly become a pivotal moment in the campaign.
Biden’s team is working overtime to ready the President for what could be a make-or-break performance.
With Republicans hammering away at questions about Biden’s age and fitness for office, the pressure is on for the incumbent to somehow convince the world that he’s still up for the job.
A strong showing could silence critics and breathe new life into Biden’s campaign. It would be weird given what we’ve seen over the past few months and years but I suppose it’s possible.
On the flip side, any stumbles could spell serious trouble. It’s a high-stakes gamble that has Democrats on edge.
“This is Biden’s chance to prove he’s up to the task of another four years,” said a Democratic strategist close to the campaign. “We’re throwing everything we’ve got into making sure he’s ready.”
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Biden’s prep team includes Ron Klain, Bruce Reed, and Mike Donilon. They’re starting with informal discussions before moving to full-on mock debates, with Biden’s lawyer Bob Bauer playing the role of Trump.
The President’s game plan? Go on the offensive.
“It’s about reminding people why they voted Trump out in the first place,” said Jim Messina, who ran Obama’s 2012 campaign. “Biden needs to keep the spotlight on Trump’s record, not get bogged down defending himself.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s camp is keeping it low key and the debate preparation informal. While Biden is hunkered down at Camp David getting his drug cocktail Trump is holding campaign events and going about business as usual.
His spokesman, Steven Cheung, says the former president will hammer Biden on inflation, border security, and immigration. But some Democrats speculate Trump might tone down his usual fiery rhetoric for the debate stage.
As the clock ticks down to Thursday, both sides know what’s at stake.
For Biden, it’s a chance to show he’s still coherent enough to get through a debate with the help of a friendly moderator (the bar is low for Biden). For Trump, it’s an opportunity to solidify his base and maybe sway some fence-sitters.
One thing’s for sure – all eyes will be on Atlanta as these two square off.
In the end, this debate is more than just political theater.
It’s a crucial test for Biden, one that could determine whether he remains the Democratic standard-bearer or faces even more calls to step aside.
Critics have called for Biden to take a drug test before the debate and given the stakes it would serve the country if he complied.
We would prefer to see Biden hold his own during the debate so Democrats feel compelled to keep him at the top of the ticket.
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After all he should answer to voters for the damage, destruction and death that has come to America as the result of his policies.