The debate is Trump's to win but he can blow it if he descends into narcissism. He should be careful to distinguish legitimate attacks on Biden's record, especially his corruption, which is effective and right to do on the one hand and petty attacks on Biden because Trump's button has been pushed and his ego wounded, on the other.
“Biden cannot win but Trump can lose.”
Agreed. I don’t feel so sanguine about the debates. There are many ways an undisciplined Trump could lose to a demented old liar programmed with pithy one-liners about 200,000 COVID deaths. The audience is not the converted like those who read this board. It’s the mushy middle who are bothered by “mean tweets”. Further, the media serves as the referee in this game, and they have already written their analyses. Guess what they will say. The only way Trump wins is if Biden physically breaks down or decompensates (e.g., falls asleep, shouts obscenities, collapses) during the event.
You can’t be serious to suggest Trump is nursing an ego at this point in his Presidency.
“Biden cannot win but Trump can lose.“
I will agree that statement is true - but it would be true of any strong incumbent, and any pathetic challenger.
I do not agree that President Trump is a narcissist or egoist though.
As incumbent, President Trump is heavily favored to win re-election - therefore he has everything to lose in a debate gone awry. Biden has everything to gain.
A conservative strategy is always best in such a situation. President Trump should be on his best behavior and seem like a nice guy