Joe Biden's most important task in the high-stakes first presidential debate tomorrow night, says veteran national political strategist Bill Carrick, is "not to get sucked into the whole Trump s---show."
As the Republican incumbent and his Democratic challenger prepare to face off on Tuesday night (Sept. 29) in Cleveland, from 6-7:30 PM PDT, Carrick told Newsmakers that Biden should stay cool in the face of what is likely to be a barrage of wild and volatile attacks by Trump, while pressing him on the issue of health care, from a variety of perspectives, including the nomination to the U.S, Supreme Court of conservative federal judge Amy Coney Barrett.
"He has to be sure not to get sucked into the whole Trump craziness," he said. "But I think he's going to go after Trump on the pandemic, the Affordable Care Act and how those are highlighted by the appointment of the Supreme Court Justice."
A widely-respected Democratic media strategist, Carrick has run several presidential campaigns, worked for the late Senator Ted Kennedy, consulted for former President Clinton, and counts Senator Dianne Feinstein and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti among his current clients. He also has run campaigns for countless congressional candidates, including former Representatives Lois and the late Walter Capps.
In a conversation about debate strategy and substance, the state of the presidential race, the political fallout of the appointment of Barrett and the blockbuster New York Times report about previously secret documents that show Trump's checkered history of not paying taxes, Carrick offered insight into each of the six topics to be discussed in tomorrow's night event:
Trump and Biden's records.
The Supreme Court
The Covid-19 pandemic.
The Economy.
Race
The Integrity of the election.
Click below to watch our conversation with Bill Carrick and...the podcast version is here.
JR