2020 Watch: Is debate Trump’s last chance to save himself? Plus other key questions this week.
NEW YORK (AP) — Presidential politics move fast. What we’re watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign:
Days to general election: 15
Days to next scheduled presidential debate: 3
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The narrative
President Donald Trump is openly contemplating the prospect of losing, while Democratic challenger Joe Biden is warning his supporters against overconfidence as the 2020 presidential election speeds into its closing days.
With more than 22 million votes already cast, Biden’s lead in the national polls appears to be as strong as ever. His advantage in some battleground states, including Florida, is narrowing, but he’s forced Trump on the defensive in states like Iowa and Georgia that Democrats six months ago didn’t seriously expect to win.
While the campaigns appear to be moving in opposite directions on paper, it’s a very different feeling on the campaign trail. Trump is drawing huge crowds reminiscent of 2016’s final days, and Biden is sticking to his cautious approach with small events focused more on adhering to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s social distancing recommendations than energizing his supporters. He’ll get a boost this week as former President Barack Obama hits the road on his behalf.
While there will be plenty of action, this week will center on Thursday’s final debate, which may be Trump’s last and best chance to change the direction of this election.
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The big questions
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The final thought
We were struck by the dramatically different pace of the Trump and Biden campaigns over the weekend. Trump has always been the more aggressive campaigner, but we expected Biden to pick it up eventually. Not so much.
On Saturday, for example, Biden was down all day. Trump campaigned in Michigan and Wisconsin and finished his day in Nevada. Only two more Saturdays remain before Election Day, in case anyone is counting.
Biden will get some help from Obama this week, and running mate Kamala Harris has an aggressive schedule as well. Biden also has a major advertising advantage, as we mentioned above. But if Biden ultimately loses this election, he may not be able to say he left it all out on the field.
