Opportunity for ‘combative’ debate for Biden to draw a ‘line in the sand’ on the big flaw in the face of Trump’s ‘5 attacks’, says DC source

JOE Biden has the chance to contrast himself with Donald Trump in the first debate of the 2024 presidential election tonight, a former adviser to the president tells The US Sun.

The incumbent of the White House will face his predecessor in what is expected to be a tight dual in the crucial battleground state of Georgia.

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Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, are expected to fire shots 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 do not know what questions will be asked, but immigration, foreign relations, 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 advisor to Joe Biden during his vice presidency, believes the timing is a deliberate tactic by the president.

“My expectation is that it will be very combative,” he told The US Sun.

Biden advanced early because he wants to show the American people and the world that he is in full command of his capabilities.

“He wants to tell them that age is a debatable issue. Biden wants to draw the line in the sand.

“The sooner you can get them [the voters] start to pay attention and build your narrative and try to take control of the narrative, the better.”

Biden has been preparing at the Camp David retreat in Maryland with his top team of advisers in preparation for the debate.

And Vela speculated how advisors will prepare the commander in chief.

“They are repeatedly reminding the president that here are his top five attacks,” he said.

“We know what his five main attacks are. In many ways, this makes things easier for the Biden team, because we know Trump will reach his age and we know he will allude to his mental capacity.

“We know he will [allude to a] failed border, an open border.

“You already know the four or five things he’s saying to you.”

Vela believes Biden should return to discussing policy when Trump launches a line of attack.

“If I were coaching the president, I would just say, ‘You know, Donald, you can keep doing this, but the truth is you don’t know how you would fix X,’” he said.

One of Biden’s top advisors is Ron Klainwho served as White House chief of staff from 2021-23, and Vela believes the strategist is helping Biden turn Trump’s attack lines into something positive.

Biden’s critics have long asserted that the president is not fit enough to serve another term.

Trump, who is just a few years younger than Biden, labeled his opponent as sleepy and dishonest.

But Vela said Biden can use his age to his advantage.

“He needs to embrace his age and own it, and joke about it, but indirectly remind people that with age comes experience, and with experience comes stability, and with stability comes a better America,” he said .

Republicans were quick to magnify instances when Biden appeared to be despondent.

Joe Walsh, a single-term Republican congressman and former Republican presidential candidate, revealed that Trump needs to upset Biden on the debate stage.

“He has to make Biden look bad and silly, and make him look old and look like he doesn’t know what he’s doing,” he told The US Sun.

Earlier this year, a Special Counsel concluded an investigation looking into whether Biden improperly handled classified documents.

The report described Biden as an elderly man with a poor memory.

Meanwhile, Trump’s team isn’t taking anything for granted heading into the debate.

Trump has a slight lead in national polls, if the polls are to be believed, and one source offered a glimpse into the former president’s likely strategy.

“He will focus on touting Joe Biden’s record,” a Trump campaign source told The US Sun.

“Open borders. High inflation. Viewers at home now have two presidential records to compare. The choice is obvious.”

Biden presided over a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, historic levels of inflation, and did not get rid of the issues surrounding his competence.

But Trump has also given incoherent speeches and has four accusations hanging over his name.

Trump was convicted in his trade documents trial and is involved in three other cases.

He has been accused of mishandling a number of confidential documents at his Florida home, but it appears likely that no trial will take place before the November election.

Trump was also indicted on allegations that he attempted to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.

Trump was also indicted in Washington DC on charges linked to the annulment of the presidential election.

The case in Washington DC is a federal indictment, meaning Trump could pardon himself if he is convicted and wins the November election.

Legal situation

Vela revealed that Trump’s legal turmoil could 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 have never had a convicted felon run for president of the United States before,” Vela said.

Trump will be sentenced just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

He kept politicians in suspense over his choice for running mate.

Ohio lawmaker JD Vance and North Dakota governor Doug Burgum are believed to be among the pioneers.

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 named as potential running mates.