Why Biden’s Debates With Trump Could Be His Meal Ticket

On Wednesday morning, Joe Biden offered to debate Donald Trump. Twice. Without a studio audience.

Soon after, CNN and the candidates agreed to hold the face-off on June 27. And by noon, Biden also agreed to an ABC debate on September 10; as did Trump. It’s on.

I view the challenge throwdown as a strategic masterstroke for Biden. For several reasons.

Sure, a debate could ensure his defeat—if the president is unable to rise to the oratorical occasion. But I think there’s a strong argument that it’s the only way he can win the election.

Most importantly, it shows confidence. And I know from experience that the most important asset a presidential candidate can have is the perception of strength. And the worst thing they can have is the perception of weakness. Which is what Biden was dealing with until this morning.

The other main knock on Biden has been that he’s too old and not up to the job. Well, the best way for him to prove that he’s still got the juice is to get on the debate stage with “the other guy” (as Biden likes to call his opponent) and show that it is the ex-prez, not the current prez, who is unfit, weak or weakened, and failing mentally. Not a very high bar, actually.

It was also very smart to suggest that both campaigns circumvent the Commission on Presidential Debates, which has organized the contests for more than three decades. Because Trump and the RNC previously said its structure was archaic and rigged in favor of Democrats.

While the Biden and Trump teams have reportedly had private, informal conversations on debates in recent weeks, the president’s going public with his proposal was a sharp, offensive move.

Here’s the bottom line: Biden has recently sounded cogent, composed, and on his game. In several TV interviews. In his speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. In his strategic drop-ins with voters, which have then gone viral on social media. In his much-lauded appearance on The Howard Stern Show. But unless and until Biden gets behind the podium and goes mano a mano against his nemesis, voters are going to assume that Biden is feeble and doesn’t deserve another term. And yes, there’s the danger that he gets manhandled by Trump and it’s game over. But if the president is unwilling to get in the arena and take down the bully, he doesn’t deserve another four years in the Oval Office anyway.”

It’s a dangerous and risky strategy. And it’s brilliant.

Debates are all about expectations. And the main expectation here is that Trump could mop the floor with Biden. So it should be relatively easy for Biden to beat expectations. And again, if he doesn’t, he doesn’t deserve to stay in the big chair.

If Joe Biden is president a year from now, it will be because he knows that if you want to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.