Not only is “Great Expectations” a renowned novel by Charles Dickens, it also serves as a cautionary phrase for politicians. It is known to be the quickest route to a political setback.
Gone are the days where campaigns and pundits could rely on nuanced messaging. Nowadays, the messaging is as subtle as a kick to the groin. Your opponent is labeled an “extremist” while your ideas are deemed “mainstream.” The art of subtle persuasion seems to have been lost in the world of modern politics.
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It’s not uncommon for political rivals to engage in a heated debate, but it’s wise for campaigns to set realistic expectations to declare victory regardless of the outcome. However, the Trump campaign and conservative media are pushing the limits by lowering expectations for President Joe Biden to an unreasonable level. They’re insinuating that as long as Biden is still breathing and doesn’t embarrass himself, then he will have won the upcoming debate. This tactic could backfire and result in fewer voters taking the debate seriously.
In the 2000 election, the Democrats were determined to persuade the American public that then Texas Governor, George W. Bush, lacked intelligence. They portrayed him as being fortunate that breathing was an involuntary reflex, to avoid suffocating on the debate stage.
During the presidential debates of that year, the narrative was set as a battle between an “idiot” (referring to George W. Bush) and Al Gore, who was often mocked for claiming to have invented the internet. However, things didn’t go exactly as expected. Bush held his own, avoiding any major gaffes, while Gore failed to stand out in any significant way. Ultimately, it was Bush who emerged victorious from the debates, largely due to the Democrats’ poor management of the expectations game.
Gore’s situation was worsened by the fact that he appeared to have a similar level of understanding about the issues as Bush, which inadvertently made Bush appear more intelligent and Gore look less competent. This narrative was perpetuated by his own campaign and party, ultimately leading to an unfavorable perception of Gore’s abilities.
With only a week left until the first debate between Biden and Trump, the tables have turned. It’s now conservatives who are pointing out that Biden seems to have lost a step or two. At times, he appears to be lost or confused in public, and his speeches are often filled with indecipherable gibberish.
Instead of attributing it to a childhood stutter, the left can no longer deny that these are not mere stutters but rather incomprehensible mutterings.
It’s no secret that Biden has a tendency to wander on stage and stand still for what seems like an unnaturally long time, not to mention his obvious old man gait when he walks. Democrats are well aware of these behaviors, yet they have done everything in their power to deny their existence. In fact, they have gone as far as falsely insinuating that these behaviors are “cheap fakes” and were artificially generated. To further their denial, they even released an edited version of a video, claiming that the unedited versions don’t give an accurate portrayal of the situation.
Republicans have been quick to point out Biden’s supposed senility, which not only serves as a source of mockery but also sets a low standard for his debate performance. With the bar set so low, it may be a challenge for Biden to even pass over it. Conversely, this also raises the bar for Trump. How could he not easily outperform a doddering old man who is supposedly senile during the debates?
Republicans must recognize the need to raise the bar for Biden. Currently, he can secure victory by simply providing answers to any and all questions, regardless of their coherence. It is imperative to acknowledge that if there is a combination of drugs and caffeine that could awaken him to the level seen during the State of the Union Address, the administration may resort to using it and deem the outcome a success. The bar has been set extremely low, and action must be taken to ensure a more rigorous standard.
It is crucial for Republicans to emphasize that Biden has been in politics for over 50 years. Rather than simply reciting memorized talking points, debating requires a particular set of skills. Republicans should set higher expectations for Biden. While it is important to call out any falsehoods or misrepresentations when he proclaims to be a former truck driver or civil rights activist, it is equally important to approach him with respect and seriousness leading up to the debate.
As I mentioned in my previous article, this initial discussion is not only a chance for Joe Biden to prove himself as the ideal candidate for his party’s nomination, but also for the upcoming presidential election. In the event of any unforeseen circumstances that may lead to his withdrawal or inability to continue, the Democrats have the option (although it is unlikely) to replace him without having to go through multiple legal battles to amend the ballots.
It would be a smart move for Republicans to assist Biden in making it through the night, without conceding the first debate. Their goal should be to keep him engaged by establishing reasonable expectations and ultimately coming out victorious.
If Biden manages to stay awake until the end, Trump will not be able to prevent his victory.
