Leaked Memo Reveals Biden’s Debate Strategy Shift

Clear Facts

• A leaked memo from April 2024 reveals that President Joe Biden’s advisors urged him to debate Donald Trump earlier than scheduled to avoid giving Trump an advantage.
• The memo emphasized the importance of early debates to reach voters before early voting and registration deadlines in key battleground states.
• Biden’s advisors recommended a debate in the spring and another after Labor Day, but Biden ultimately withdrew from the race after a challenging debate performance in June 2024.

In a striking revelation, a leaked memo has surfaced showing that President Joe Biden’s advisors were keen on having him debate former President Donald Trump sooner than initially planned. The document, dated April 2024, highlights concerns that the official debate schedule might inadvertently benefit Trump.

The memo argued that the timeline set by the Commission on Presidential Debates could put Biden at a disadvantage. With early voting and registration deadlines looming in critical battleground states, the advisors feared voters might not have the chance to see the two candidates face off before casting their ballots.

“By holding the first debate in the spring, YOU will be able to reach the widest audience possible before we are deep in the summer months with the conventions, Olympics, and family vacations taking precedence,” Biden’s advisers wrote.

The urgency of the situation was a recurring theme throughout the document. The memo stressed the importance of an early debate to allow the American people to witness Biden’s leadership in contrast to Trump’s.

“Your senior advisors, including Ron and Cedric continue to believe it is important to move forward with a plan that supports your participation in debates as early as possible,” the document read.

The advisors cautioned against waiting until the fall, as it would miss a crucial window to influence voters before early ballots were cast. They pointed to early mail-in voting in states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina as examples of why timing was critical.

“YOUR Senior Advisors think strategically holding these debates in the fall, after many of the battleground states have already begun their early voting process and voter registration deadlines have passed is too late,” the memo emphasized.

The campaign team proposed scheduling a debate in the spring, prior to the August Democratic National Convention, and another just after Labor Day. This strategy was intended to give Biden a chance to adjust his approach following the initial debate.

Advisors suggested June 26 or 27 for the opening debate, aligning it with significant dates such as expected Supreme Court rulings and the anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision.

To prepare, the memo outlined a three-part plan: ongoing press and radio engagements, regular Q&A sessions, and a taped campaign town hall in late April. It also called for weekly rehearsals with “Brue,” likely Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Bruce Reed, and other aides as needed.

Finally, the team recommended “intensive prep” akin to the buildup for Biden’s State of the Union, suggesting at least five days at Camp David before each debate.

Despite these preparations, Biden faced Trump on June 27, 2024, and struggled at several points, raising doubts about his ability to secure reelection. Just a month later, he announced his decision to withdraw from the race and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris.

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