Biden to debate for first time as front-runner

[bluewater]

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s aides are preparing him to do something that he’s never done before in his decades of public service: walk onto a debate stage as the party’s front-runner for the presidential nomination.
Biden has run for president twice before, both times as a huge underdog. Thursday night will mark the first time he takes center stage with a massive target on his back and 19 candidates itching to take him on.

In debate preparation sessions, Biden’s aides have focused on two potential vulnerabilities — his propensity for long-windedness, which can lead to gaffes, and how to handle the pack of contenders that will be looking to cut him down or elevate their own candidacies through a viral exchange with the front-runner.
Biden’s rivals, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who will be standing next to him on stage, are already sharpening their attacks ahead of the debate, which marks the first major inflection point in the race to the nomination.
“The sharks smell blood in the water,” said one Democratic strategist.

The former vice president will enter the debate with a healthy lead over the rest of the Democratic field, both nationally and in the early-voting states.

But public opinion surveys also indicate that Biden’s polling strength may be weaker than it appears, with more than three-quarters of likely primary voters saying they’re still open to changing their minds.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/450120-biden-to-debate-for-first-time-as-front-runner

Biden is an excellent debater, underestimate his skills at your own peril.

No one in tonight's or yesterday's debate has Biden's vast experience in high stakes political debates.

This isn't Biden's first rodeo.

[at140]

1. Brain cells not as sharp in late 70's

as in 40's or 50's. It's all down hill after age 65. Speaking from observing all my friends and relatives.

[LanternWaste]

3. Does that apply to authoring a book as well?

Hence, an author's product in his 70's would be much less than optimal than when he was writing in his 20's?

[at140]

5. Writing is a book is not same as answering questions on the stump

or debating opponents. Brain needs to work at lightening speed. Writing a book is a leisurely endeavour, where one can take her/his sweet time into producing material to write.

There are no world champion chess players wining in their 70's. Because again, one does not have unlimited time to make moves.

[emmaverybo]

10. Diana Athill won prestigious Costa award at 90. Many authors have put out their best work

65 and older. Sure, the writing process allows for reflection, deliberation, and engaging imaginative powers not dependent on instant memory retrieval and general cognitive speed.

Tonight’s format may not be especially advantageous for seniors, but it is not a bar to turning in a strong performance either. We saw Beto last night vs. Warren.

As to the presidency, that office does not demand constant debating.

[Cha]

4. Oh yeah.. what do you have to say about

Ruth Ginsberg at 86?

[at140]

6. Her speech is no where as sharp as 20 years ago

but again, if you read my posts above, I make a distinction between rapid fire responses and leisurely writing of books and legal opinions. Nature makes sure everything in your body will deteriorate with age and that you will not live much past 100.

[Demit]

9. Also SC justices' field of knowledge & expertise has a narrower focus (the law) than a president's.

They don't have to function in the public eye, or deal with a diversity of other world leaders. That's constant stress.

And they get three months off every year. Presidents are always on call.

[flamingdem]

7. Bide bing!

[Peacetrain]

11. As if speaking quickly equals intelligent thought process

We got a fast talker in the white house right now Cha..Ruth Ginsberg shows us how taking a second to think about what your are saying is a good thing

[Cha]

12. Definitely, Peacetrain..

Sociopathic Psycho's like trump can talk fast.

[emmaverybo]

8. Actually, although we may process information more slowly, decision-making can become

more sound, as we draw upon what is called wisdom, a reservoir of knowledge, experience, and intellect.

It has been shown that seniors who stay sharp cognitively, and are not impaired by dementia, Alzheimer’s or health conditions affecting cognitive functioning, may have improved judgement in that they tend to ‘scan” a problem, getting to the “forest,” while younger counterparts get bogged down in the “trees.”

Decline is not inevitable. The majority of seniors do not have dementia, though it is an age-related
disorder.

We are now measuring cognition more holistically. Though I do not think tonight’s format advantageous to any senior, I think a speaker’s skill, debate experience, and knowledge can
outshine even a far younger candidate’s. We saw this last night with Beto.

No one on that stage has more knowledge in geo-politics, foreign relations, American politics and national governance than Biden. No one has more experience.

If he relies on story-telling, rests on his laurels as VP to Obama, talks past instead of future, he will undermine himself. If his competitors, particularly Sanders, shake him psychologically, and he’s slow to recover, stumbles, goes wobbly, he could turn in a weak performance.

So we shall see.

[Progressive2020]

2. Maybe

Concerned that Biden might be peaking too soon. A lot of the other Dems will be coming at him, Sanders probably first amongst them. I guess it will prove Biden's toughness to survive what might be a pretty tough Primary process. We will see how things shake out.