Biden has one more chance to turn the tides against Trump.
The presidential campaign is currently stagnant with Trump in the lead. Nothing seems to break through the inertia that has enveloped the race.
The former president facing 34 felony convictions? It feels like old news now and hasn’t significantly derailed Trump’s campaign. The current president’s son also convicted? It’s being downplayed as a minor distraction by those who launched an impeachment inquiry to target Biden’s campaign.
Each scandal, smear, and controversy briefly dominates the headlines before quickly giving way to the next issue, leaving little lasting impact on the overall race.
This situation is particularly unfavorable for Joe Biden, who is struggling with a 38% approval rating and seems poised for a loss, despite the seemingly close contest. Trump’s narrow but consistent lead in key battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania—where Biden’s extensive campaigning has yet to secure a win—signals trouble for the incumbent.
In a bold move, Biden has challenged Trump to two debates, with the first one scheduled on CNN in less than ten days. This is Biden’s final opportunity to inject some energy into his campaign and shift the dynamics of the race.
While the Trump camp may have set low expectations for Biden, if he can avoid major mistakes, he might be perceived as the winner. The debate rules—two-minute answers, no notes, and muted mics—seem to favor Biden, but debates are often overestimated in their impact. Past debates have shown that even strong performances don’t necessarily translate into electoral success, as seen with Mitt Romney in 2012 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Biden is under significant pressure to demonstrate both vigor and competence, while Trump, who is doing minimal formal preparation, will likely be applauded by his base regardless of his performance.
Ultimately, it will take something extraordinary to change many minds, as most Americans have already formed their opinions about both candidates. This same sentiment extends to Trump’s choice of running mate. Despite some speculation about candidates like Doug Burgum, Tim Scott, Marco Rubio, and J.D. Vance, it’s unlikely to alter the course of the race significantly. The focus remains on the top of the ticket.
Trump’s efforts to portray Biden as mentally unfit have led to exaggerated and distorted incidents. While Biden has appeared frail and confused at times, viral moments like Obama guiding him off stage or misleadingly cropped photos are used to fuel this narrative.
Despite sensational media coverage, the focus on accuracy and fair representation persists, as seen with balanced segments on networks like Fox News.
Many media outlets seem to anticipate a Trump victory. The New York Times, for example, has detailed the preparations by various groups for a possible second Trump term, indicating their belief in its likelihood.
These groups are preparing for legal battles and other defensive measures in case of Trump’s re-election. This proactive stance reflects a lack of confidence in Biden’s campaign.
As the CNN debate approaches, Biden is running out of time to change the narrative. Without a significant breakthrough, the campaign’s current stagnation could seal his fate in this election.