We've made it to the last big moment of the 2020 election campaign — the second and final presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. On Thursday night, millions of viewers will tune in to the debate in Nashville, Tennessee, to see if partially muting the mics can produce a more civil exchange than their last brawl in Cleveland, Ohio.
Here's what each candidate should do to turn the debate his way.
Candidates are often told by their strategists: "Be yourself." That would be terrible advice for Trump. His belligerent first debate performance was one of the most flagrant displays of presidential misbehavior in modern US history. Since then, he has battled Covid-19 and turned the political thermostat even higher with wild stunts and searing rhetoric. His hardline stands, rule breaking and trashing of political correctness explain why he's widely popular with his party's base -- but also why he's alienated the moderate voters he needs to win a second term.
To widen his appeal, Trump needs to ditch tantrums and show voters he understands that the US is on the cusp of painful months in the pandemic. That might involve taking mitigation measures like masks and social distancing seriously, and not overpromising on the pace at which a vaccine will arrive. To win back crucial suburban voters, he ought to show some empathy with their fear and loss -- both emotional and economic -- and convince the country that he can plot a way out of the worst domestic crisis since World War II. But all this would require the President to admit he could have done better in combating the pandemic to begin with.
Biden needs to adopt a political version of the Hippocratic oath: "First, do no harm." The Democratic nominee is leading the race, and if he can leave Nashville without that changing, he can claim a win however pundits score the clash.
The former vice president's biggest challenge will likely be not lashing out at Trump over the President's personal attacks against Biden's son Hunter. Biden's response in the first debate — that he loved his son and many American families knew the pain of substance abuse — was a strong moment. Biden also did well when he ignored Trump's goading and spoke directly to the American people.
He could do a better job this time around in using Trump's onstage meltdowns as a metaphor for the chaos and self-obsession in the White House. With the pandemic fast worsening, Biden will try to focus the debate on Trump's mismanagement and downplaying of the crisis. Above all, he wants to leave Americans with a vision of calm, empathy and leadership to imagine in the Oval Office.
What you'd ask
We asked you what you'd like to ask Biden and Trump on Thursday's debate stage. Thanks for answering thoughtfully -- here is a selection of reader responses.
US handling of the coronavirus pandemic was top of mind for many -- Karin from Germany spoke for several readers when she asked: "The people can read and see every day how the positive coronavirus cases and deaths are risin
