Presidential debates could give Biden the edge

The 2020 US presidential election is drawing ever closer, and it’s looking like it’s going to be a tight one, with Democratic candidate Joe Biden currently just ahead of incumbent President Donald Trump in the betting odds on the US election. With that being the case, both men will be looking to squeeze the most out of every opportunity they get to make some gains.

One of these key areas will be the televised presidential debates, which are coming up on September 29^th, October 15^th and October 22^nd. These represent a great opportunity for each candidate to square off against their opponent in front of the watching eyes of the nation, and make a case for why they should have the right to step into the Oval Office as President.

It feels as though Biden is the man who has the most to gain from taking part in the presidential debates. The Democratic candidate’s popularity in the polls has risen gradually throughout the year, and you feel that he will be relishing the chance to take on Trump face-to-face in such a high-profile setting. After all, Biden will be well used to campaigning having been Barack Obama’s running mate in two successive elections in 2008 and 2012, and he’ll have learned from the former President what strategies he can adopt as he prepares to square off against Trump.

The debates could end up being quite bitter, with both men having publicly denigrated the other in various interviews and media appearances. There was never likely to be any love lost between Trump and Biden, or indeed Trump and anyone else who might have won the Democratic nomination. The President has become known for his confrontational brand of politics, and you would expect nothing less from the man who won the 2016 election by adopting such a style.

Many US elections in the past have been greatly affected by the debates, which are a real test of a politician’s mettle. The intense pressure of being under the spotlight, answering questions on the country’s burning issues, has seen many a would-be presidential candidate crumble. Biden will be hoping that he can stand up to this test of his nerve. Trump has the experience of four years ago, but then the 2016 presidential debates almost felt like a free hit for Trump because it seemed so unlikely that he would defeat Hillary Clinton and actually become President.

Now, there is a lot more pressure on Trump’s shoulders, particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic, and you can bet that much of the debates will centre around the candidates’ plans to tackle the virus and ensure that things don’t get any worse. Trump has come under immense media scrutiny for his handling of the virus, and he’ll be feeling the heat in terms of striking the right chord at the upcoming debates.

Biden, on the other hand, comes into the debates with a fresh slate to work with, and he can target areas where he feels Trump has failed to try and convince the American public that change is needed at the top level of politics. With the spotlight that comes with the US presidential debates, and the intense media coverage worldwide, it’s a great opportunity for Biden to consolidate his position ahead of Election Day.