‘The Super Bowl’ of politics: Why the debate is so crucial for Trump and Biden – By Natasha Korecki and Alex Isenstadt (Politico) / Sept 28 2020
It might be the last chance for Trump to shake up a race that’s been remarkably stable.
Tuesday night’s debate might be the last chance for Donald Trump and Joe Biden to command the collective attention of swing-state voters who will decide the election: By the second debate in mid-October, many of them will have already cast their ballots through early voting.
It’s why both campaigns have long had Sept. 29 marked on their calendars. A big night for Trump or a bad night for Biden could alter the trajectory of a race that’s barely budged during months of nationwide upheaval.
“This debate will be watched by the country as though it’s tuning into the Super Bowl,” said Mari Will, a debate coach and longtime Republican political adviser.
Or, as Republican strategist Michael Steel put it: “In a race that has been remarkably stable — in the face of earth-shaking events — the debates, particularly the first one, represent one of the last real chances to change the terms of the contest.”
With those stakes in mind, POLITICO interviewed more than a dozen campaign aides and outside allies about the candidates’ preparations and expectations for the 90-minute showdown at 9 p.m. Tuesday. Here’s a look at what we learned.
Continue to article: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/28/why-the-debate-is-crucial-for-trump-and-biden-422319
