In an unexpected turn, during a recent appearance on the ‘All Together’ podcast, previous President Donald Trump expressed some words of appreciation about President Joe Biden. He hinted that one should not dismiss Biden lightly when it comes to debates. ‘I believe he could prove to be a formidable challenger in debate’, alluded the former President, evoking a sense of surprise among the hosts.
Trump went further and cited an instance from the past where Biden outshone Paul Ryan, a renowned politician. He highlighted how Biden, a seasoned debater, took on Paul Ryan effectively. He narrated how Ryan was constantly seen gulping down water and eventually ended up receiving a solid defeat from Biden. The former president made it clear that he’s not going to underrate Biden.
However, remember this is the same Donald Trump who once criticized President Biden’s debating capabilities harshly. ‘Dishonest Joe Biden is the POOREST debater I have ever experienced – He can’t string two sentences coherently!’ he once declared. He even went on to suggest that there should be more than two debates for the sheer thrill of it and despite Biden’s apparent discomfort with large gatherings.
Some observers interpret this shift in language as an indication that expectations are set incredibly low for the president. In their view, even if President Biden merely manages to stay awake throughout the debate, it would be counted as a triumph. The shift in Trump’s tone, they argue, reflects this low bar.
Renowned political analyst Van Jones, who has served under the former President Obama’s administration, cautioned that even a single blunder in the debate from the president could spell doom for his presidency. He further emphasized the importance of this upcoming debate.
‘In my perspective, this debate is basically the entire election. Every pair of eyes across the globe would be glued to it’, he expressed during a conversation with CNN’s Jim Acosta. He mentioned that every conscious individual would be keenly watching this debate as the outcome could have significant political implications.
‘If Biden commits a slip, it will undoubtedly be a game-changer. If his polling numbers drop a week after the event, the party will be in disarray’, he further warned. ‘However, if he manages to hold his ground against Donald Trump – an unmanageable speeding train, a wild bull – he definitely deserves another chance to serve as the president. This is no mean feat.’
Jones described debating against the former president as an arduous task that is not a commonplace person’s cup of tea. He further said, ‘Neither you nor I could pull it off. If someone is capable enough to confront a runaway train-like Donald Trump for nearly an hour and a half, then he’s unequivocally fit to be the president.’
CNN recently announced some fresh rules for the impending presidential debate between current President Joe Biden and previous President Donald Trump. One interesting element to these rules was the potential for a third-party candidate to join them on stage.
It appears that Biden has managed to secure everything he sought for this debate, the provisions of which Trump has assented to. The network reported that the debate scheduled for June 15 would last 90 minutes in total with a couple of commercial breaks. The candidates wouldn’t be allowed to communicate with their staff during these breaks.
CNN mentioned, ‘Both candidates have agreed to maintain a uniform podium. Their podium positions will be decided by a simple coin toss.’ ‘Microphones will be set to mute for the duration of the debate, except for when it’s a candidate’s turn to speak. No props or pre-prepared notes will be permitted on stage, but candidates will be provided a pen, paper, and a bottle of water.’
Few elements of the upcoming debate, including the absence of a studio audience, deviate from the usual format. Yet just like previous times, the moderators ‘are geared up with all necessary measures to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion’, as said by the network.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s potential involvement in the debate was also addressed by the network. Although they stated it as less likely at this point, they didn’t entirely rule out the possibility of his participation.