Preparations for Thursday’s debate between President Biden and Donald J. Trump are well underway at Camp David. The retreat has been transformed into a mock debate stage, complete with a movie theater and an airplane hangar equipped with lights and production equipment. At least 16 current and former aides have been summoned from Washington and Wilmington to join President Biden in strategy sessions.
Mr. Biden is spending his fifth day at Camp David, focusing on shaking off the rust that often comes with being an incumbent on the defense. The goal is to combat concerns about his age and effectiveness as a president. Both candidates are out of practice as debaters, and Mr. Biden’s top advisers are working to position him as a fighter who can counterpunch on the fly.
The debate preparations are being managed by Ron Klain, who is mindful of past missteps by incumbents. The days at Camp David are flexible, with Mr. Biden and his trusted advisers working on refining their strategies in the moment. They are anticipating the attacks Mr. Trump might launch and are focused on maintaining a strong argument and policy contrast.
Officials on Mr. Biden’s campaign see the debate as an opportunity to go on the offensive on issues like immigration and abortion access. The setting itself is expected to highlight Mr. Trump’s weaknesses and allow Mr. Biden to dispel the notion that he is bumbling in public.
The debate will be broadcast live on CNN, with moderators tasked with facilitating the debate and fact-checking in real time. Mr. Biden’s team is leaving no stone unturned in their preparation, with key advisers like Bob Bauer playing the role of Mr. Trump in mock debates.
While Mr. Trump has a different approach to debate preparation, Mr. Biden’s team is following a more customary process. The Camp David prep team includes top advisers like Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, Jake Sullivan, and others focused on communications strategy.
There will be a clear division between Mr. Biden’s inner circle and the policy experts summoned to Camp David. The goal is to refine arguments and strategies before the debate takes place, with key aides like Annie Tomasini and Bruce Reed playing crucial roles in the preparation process.
