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‘Combative’ debate chance for Biden to draw ‘line in sand’ on major flaw in face of Trump’s ‘5 attacks,’ says DC insider
Moe Vela, Joe Biden's former adviser, claims viewers know what attack lines Donald Trump is going to use
JOE Biden has the chance to contrast himself with Donald Trump at tonight’s first 2024 presidential election debate, a former adviser to the president has told The U.S. Sun.
The current White House incumbent will go head-to-head against his predecessor in what’s expected to be a fiery dual in the crucial battleground state of Georgia.
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Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, are set to hurl potshots and present alternative visions for the nation in the 90-minute showdown that will be anchored by CNN stars Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.
The two men don’t know what questions will be asked but immigration, foreign affairs, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the environment, and education are among the topics that could be raised.
This debate is taking place earlier than usual and Moe Vela, who served as an adviser to Joe Biden during his vice presidency, believes the timing is a deliberate tactic by the president.
“My expectation is that it's going to be very combative," he told The U.S. Sun.
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Biden has gone early because he wants to show the American people and the world that he’s in full command of his capabilities.
“He wants to tell them that age is a moot issue. Biden wants to draw the line in the sand.
“The earlier you can get them [the voters] to start paying attention and building your narrative and trying to take control of the narrative, the better.”
Biden has been preparing at the Camp David retreat in Maryland with his top team of aides in the run-up to the debate.
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And Vela speculated on how the aides will be preparing the commander-in-chief.
“They’re reminding the president over and over again that here are his top five attacks," he said.
JD Vance admits he'll be 'disappointed' if Trump snubs him for vice-presidential pick on day before debate
“We know what his top five attacks are. In many ways, that kind of makes it easier for the Biden team because we know Trump is going to hit on his age, and we know he’s going to allude to his mental capacity.
“We know that’s he going to [allude to a] failed border, an open border.
“You know already the four or five things that he’s coming at you with.”
Vela believes Biden should return to discussing policy when Trump hurls an attack line.
"If I were coaching the president, I would just say 'You know what Donald you can keep doing that, but the matter of fact is that you don't know how you would fix X,'" he said.
One of Biden’s top aides is Ron Klain, who served as White House chief of staff between 2021-23, and Vela believes the strategist is helping Biden turn Trump’s attack lines into something positive.
Biden’s critics have long claimed the president is not fit enough to serve another term.
Trump v Biden: the first 2024 debate
Donald Trump and Joe Biden will lock horns in Atlanta, Georgia, in the first debate of the 2024 presidential election cycle.
The debate kicks off at 9 pm EST on CNN and will air for 90 minutes.
There will be two commercial breaks but political strategists are banned from talking to the candidates during this time.
It will be moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.
Biden and Trump cannot rely on notes or cue cards as these have been banned.
But they are allowed a pen, paper, and water.
The candidates will have their microphones muted when they are not talking.
There will be no audience and it's not known what topics will be on the agenda.
Source CNN
Trump, who is just a few years younger than Biden, has labeled his opponent as sleepy and crooked.
But Vela said Biden can use his age to his advantage.
“He needs to embrace his age and own it, and make a joke of it but backhandedly remind people that with age comes experience, and with experience comes stability, and with stability comes a better America,” he said.
Republicans have been quick to magnify occasions where Biden has appeared to look doddery.
Joe Walsh, a one-term GOP congressman and former Republican presidential candidate, revealed Trump has to fluster Biden on the debate stage.
“He’s got to make Biden look bad and silly, and make him look old and make it look like he doesn’t know what he’s doing,” he told The U.S. Sun.
Earlier this year, a Special Counsel concluded a probe investigating whether Biden mishandled classified documents.
How to Watch First 2024 Presidential Debate
The first 2024 Presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump will begin at 9 p.m. eastern time on Thursday, June 27.
Who is hosting the debate?
CNN will be airing the debate with the network's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash hosting.
How long is the debate?
The debate is set to be 90 minutes long.
Where can I watch the debate?
The debate will air live on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español and the streaming platform Max.
Those without a cable subscription can watch on CNN.com.
PBS News will also be covering the debate starting at 6 p.m., followed by a post-debate analysis. Those without cable can view on PBS' YouTube page here: YouTube.com/live/Ba6wGGFhBkY.
The report described Biden as an elderly man with a poor memory.
Meanwhile, Trump’s team is taking nothing for granted heading into the debate.
Trump has a slender national polling advantage if the polls are to be believed and a source has offered a flavor of the ex-president's likely strategy.
“He’s going to focus on calling out Joe Biden’s record,” an insider for the Trump campaign told The U.S. Sun.
“Open borders. High inflation. The viewers at home now have two presidential records to compare. The choice is obvious.”
Biden has presided over a bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan, historic levels of inflation, and hasn’t shaken off questions surrounding his competency.
But Trump has also delivered rambling speeches and has four indictments hanging over his name.
Trump was convicted in his business documents trial and is embroiled in three other cases.
He has been accused of mishandling a trove of classified documents at his Florida home but it appears likely that any trial will not take place before November’s election.
Trump has also been indicted on allegations he tried to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
Trump was also indicted in Washington DC on charges linked to overturning the presidential election.
The case in Washington DC is a federal indictment meaning Trump could pardon himself if convicted and he wins November’s election.
LEGAL PLIGHT
Vela revealed Trump’s legal turmoil can help Biden contrast himself with his opponent.
But, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s legal issues will feature prominently in the debate.
“This is the most unique election – we’ve never had a convicted felon run for the president of the United States before,” Vela said.
Trump will be sentenced just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
He has kept politicos on tenterhooks regarding his choice for running mate.
Ohio lawmaker JD Vance and North Dakota governor Doug Burgum are thought to be among the frontrunners.
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But former presidential candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Tim Scott cannot be ruled out either.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio, congressman Byron Donalds, and New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik have also been touted as potential running mates.
Donald Trump's Potential VP Picks
Donald Trump's shortlist of possible Vice Presidents picks:
Vivek Ramaswamy: A former biotech entrepreneur, he has been very outspoken and active with his support for Trump, who previously said Ramaswamy "performed well" in the GOP primary debates.
Doug Burgum: A billionaire and two-term Governor of North Dakota who endorsed Trump and has since become a personal friend, frequenting television appearances, joining the former President at fundraisers, and even traveling to New York for Trump’s criminal trial.
JD Vance: Venture capitalist, U.S. Senator, and writer of the bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, Vance is one of Trump's most loyal political partners. On Wednesday, Vance admitted he would be "disappointed" if not picked by Trump
Marco Rubio: Florida Senator and former candidate for President. A native Spanish speaker and the son of Cuban immigrants, experts think this pick could possibly help Trump win over some Hispanic voters.
Tim Scott: The South Carolina Senator is the only Black Republican in the Senate. Scott worked closely together with Trump while in office on issues such as Trump’s tax cuts, opportunity zones, and criminal justice reform legislation.
Elise Stefanik: The only woman on Trump's list, the congresswoman from New York was once an aide to former House Speaker Paul Ryan and also served in President George W. Bush’s administration. But during Trump’s four years in office, she became one of his most loyal and outspoken supporters. In 2022, Stefanik was the first member of Republican House leadership to endorse Trump’s campaign, and did so before he had announced he was running again.
Ben Carson: Carson, a former renowned neurosurgeon, served as the secretary of housing and urban development during Trump’s administration.
Byron Donalds: The 45-year-old Florida congressman has become one of Trump’s most prominent conservative Black supporters. Donald recently was caught on audio saying:
“You see, during Jim Crow, the Black family was together. During Jim Crow, more Black people were not just conservative — Black people always have been conservative-minded — but more Black people voted conservatively."