President Joe Biden is set to attack his predecessor at tomorrow’s CNN debate as unfit for the job and unworthy of representing the United States on the world stage.
But there’s one strategy Trump and his advisers don’t plan to employ, according to two sources familiar with the matter: making any major policy or personnel announcements, as he did during the last primary debates.
During a debate with Democratic primary challenger Sen. Bernie Sanders in March 2020, Biden promised to pick a woman as his vice president, and before a new audience, he reiterated his commitment to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court.
Sanders’ 2020 campaign chairman, Faiz Shakir, told CNN that given the nature of the announcement, it was a smart and effective strategy that drew a lot of media coverage.
“Any time you have new information to share that’s actually relevant, this works,” Shakir told CNN, arguing that a similar effect could be achieved if Trump were to go on stage to announce his running mate or cabinet picks.
The Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential platform is still being drafted by Biden’s campaign and Democratic National Convention officials, and the upcoming debates are likely to focus on policy and personnel, according to sources. The second debate is scheduled to take place in September after the parties’ conventions, when voters are more interested in the issues.
Biden’s advisers have made clear they believe the most effective use of the first debate is to highlight the contrast between the two candidates and present voters with a choice with renewed urgency.
