Former Obama adviser warns that if Biden blunders the debate, it’s ‘game over’.Former Obama adviser and CNN commentator Van Jones has warned that President Biden’s chances of winning re-election could be over if he “messes up” in the upcoming debate with former President Trump.
Jones emphasized the high stakes of the debate, saying that the entire world will be watching and that a strong performance by Biden could prove his ability to handle himself against a formidable opponent like Trump.
“Because if Biden goes out there and messes up, it’s game over. If he walks out there and a week later he’s lower in the polls, it’s panic in the party,” he continued. “But if he goes in there and he can handle himself against Donald Trump — a runaway train, a locomotive, a raging bull — then this guy deserves another shot to be president, because that is tough.”
“This is the entire election, as far as I’m concerned. The entire world will be watching,” Jones told CNN host Jim Acosta on Thursday. “If you are a carbon-based life form, you’re going to be watching. If you’ve got a functioning brain stem, you’re going to be watching.”
Jones’ comments highlight the importance of the debate in shaping public perception of the two candidates. Biden’s campaign has been dogged by concerns about his age and mental fitness, which have been fueled by videos of him appearing lost or confused at high-profile events.
Acosta wondered if Biden could rebuff GOP attacks questioning his mental acuity if he came out and delivered a strong performance on June 27. However, legal analyst and former Trump White House counsel Jim Schulz said one debate wouldn’t “make a difference” in eliminating concerns voters have about Biden’s age and mental fitness.
“There’s just too much out there in terms of social media, television, any of the videos, everything that’s been captured of him walking off-stage, lost. That’s in people’s minds, and they’re worried about it,” Schulz said. “I don’t think there’s any turning back on that.”
Despite this, Jones agreed with Acosta’s premise that talk characterizing the president as feeble could work to his advantage in the debate. “I do think it’s to Biden’s advantage because they keep acting like he’s going to walk out there and fall asleep or fall over. Just the fact that he’s not going to do that. He is sharp on policy,” Jones said.
The first debate will be hosted by CNN and moderated by anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, who have both been critical of Trump. The two candidates’ campaigns both agreed to have their microphones muted when it was not their turn to talk during the 90-minute debate.
The debate is expected to be a heated affair, with both candidates likely to clash on key issues like the economy, healthcare, and immigration. Trump has been known for his aggressive debate style, and Biden will need to be prepared to handle his attacks.
Despite the challenges facing Biden, Jones believes that he has a chance to prove himself as a formidable opponent. “If he can handle himself against Donald Trump – a runaway train, a locomotive, a raging bull – then this guy deserves another shot to be president, because that is tough,” Jones said.
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