As the presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump approaches, both candidates have strategies to shape the discussion. A campaign memo recently obtained by Reuters offers insights into Biden’s preferred topics for debate, while his public statements and rhetoric reveal his tactics for success.
According to the memo, Biden is likely to focus on the following issues, while sidestepping others that could potentially harm his campaign.
Discuss: The Economy
Biden has emphasized the country’s growing job numbers, touting record-breaking employment figures. He has also repeatedly pledged to “build an economy from the middle out and the bottom up,” framing his presidency as a response to the worst economic crisis in a century. However, a Heritage Foundation analysis has cast doubt on these figures, suggesting that many of the newly reported jobs do not actually exist.
Campaign events and speeches have seen Biden present his economic policies as “Bidenomics,” aiming to rebrand his economic record and shift public opinion.
Avoid: Israeli-Palestinian conflict
One issue that may not make the debate’s agenda is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Biden has faced criticism from both the left and the right over his handling of the crisis, with some accusing him of not doing enough to support Israel and others viewing him as enabling a “genocide.” Meanwhile, Trump has attempted to capitalize on this issue by courting Jewish and moderate Democratic voters. To avoid further enflaming the situation, the Biden campaign is likely to steer clear of discussing the conflict.
Discuss: Abortion Rights
The Biden campaign has placed great emphasis on abortion rights, seeing it as a key issue in the 2022 midterm elections. The president has been careful to link Trump to abortion bans, arguing that a vote for Trump would support the restriction of women’s reproductive choices. Trump, meanwhile, has attempted to move towards the center on this issue.
Avoid: Immigration
Another topic that may be largely avoided during the debate is immigration. Biden has faced criticism for his handling of border crossings, with record numbers of immigrants arriving in the country during his administration. To deflect attention from this issue, Biden is likely to shift the focus towards Congressional Republicans and Trump’s influence, portraying himself as a victim of partisan politics.
