Preparations for the upcoming debate between President Biden and Donald J. Trump are in full swing at Camp David. The presidential retreat has been transformed into a mock debate stage, complete with a movie theater and airplane hangar equipped with lights and production equipment. A team of at least 16 current and former aides have been summoned from Washington and Wilmington to join President Biden in strategy sessions, shuttling back and forth on golf carts.
President Biden is spending his fifth day at Camp David, focusing on shaking off the rust that often plagues incumbents on the defense. The goal is to combat concerns about his age and effectiveness as a leader. Both candidates are out of practice as debaters, and Mr. Biden’s advisers are working to position him as a strong contender who can counterpunch effectively. The team is aware of past missteps by incumbents and is determined to avoid them.
The debate preparation at Camp David is aimed at refining Mr. Biden’s arguments and ensuring he is well-prepared to face Mr. Trump. The setting itself is expected to highlight Mr. Trump’s weaknesses and allow President Biden to present himself as a strong and capable leader. The debate will take place in a closed studio in Atlanta, with no live audience and muted microphones when candidates are not speaking.
The debate will be broadcast live on CNN, with moderators focused on facilitating the discussion between the candidates rather than fact-checking in real time. President Biden’s team is working diligently to ensure there are no surprises during the debate. Bob Bauer, Mr. Biden’s personal attorney, is playing the role of Mr. Trump in mock debates, drawing from hours of research on Mr. Trump’s past debates and statements.
While Mr. Trump’s debate preparation process is less structured, he is relying on his experiences as a campaigner to guide him. The length and depth of President Biden’s preparation process are seen as customary and essential for a successful debate performance.
Mr. Biden’s Camp David prep team includes key advisers such as Ron Klain, Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, Jake Sullivan, Jeffrey D. Zients, Anita Dunn, Ben LaBolt, and others. The team is focused on refining Mr. Biden’s arguments and strategies for the debate.
Several Biden campaign aides and policy experts are also part of the preparation process, offering their expertise and insights. The team is working on refining Mr. Biden’s arguments on key issues such as immigration, abortion access, and the economy. The goal is to ensure that President Biden is well-prepared to present a strong and compelling case against Mr. Trump during the debate.
The preparations at Camp David are intense and focused, with a clear division between Mr. Biden’s inner circle and the policy experts involved. The team is dedicated to ensuring that President Biden is fully prepared and equipped to face Mr. Trump on the debate stage.
