Biden and Trump prepare for Thursday’s first debate

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The first presidential debate is just days away — the first opportunity this election season for voters to see the current President and the former President on the same stage.

Former President Donald Trump is confident going into Thursday’s presidential debate, thanks to consistent leads in battleground state polls and fundraising momentum.

Rather than prepping for the first debate, Trump spent his weekend at a campaign rally in Philadelphia asking the audience for tips.

“How should I handle him? Should I be tough and nasty and just say, ‘You’re the worst president in history.’ Or should I be nice and calm and let him speak?” He said.

Advisors for the Trump campaign say the former President is taking an informal approach to his debate prep: consulting with advisors at his Florida home about the policy points he’d like to make during the 90-minute debate.

Jacob Rubashkin, deputy editor of Inside Elections, said, “It’s a chance to really press his advantage right now and see if he can deliver an early strike against Biden, rather than having to wait until September to get on the same stage as him.”

He explained Trump’s strategy is not a secret. He wants to make the debate — and the election — a referendum on President Biden and his handling of the economy and security at America’s southern border.

“Americans don’t believe that the economy is doing well, even as we’ve seen the stock market hit record highs and unemployment hit record lows,” Rubashkin continued, “there’s still a deep feeling of economic insecurity that Americans have felt since the pandemic.”

One unknown of the first debate is how the lack of a studio audience will impact the former President’s demeanor and presentation.

“He likes a cheering section,” said Rubashkin. He went on, “He thrives off of that energy. And so without that, I think it’ll be interesting to see how he adapts to a quiet room.”

Over the weekend, Donald Trump said his running mate — whom he has not yet announced — will likely attend the first debate. Following the face-off in Atlanta, the former president will hold a campaign rally Friday in Virginia — a state Republicans haven’t won in two decades.

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