Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Politics Explained

What to look out for in tonight’s final presidential debate

Will muted microphones be enough to stop another blizzard of insults, half-truths and empty slogans, asks Sean O'Grady

Wednesday 21 October 2020 17:17 BST
Comments
The president could capitalise on a Biden gaffe
The president could capitalise on a Biden gaffe

Much has been made of the decision to mute the candidates’ microphones for a time during the next televised Trump-Biden debate. Given his urge to interrupt and wisecrack during an opponent’s address (as Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and various Republican runners in the primaries have all found), this is alleged to be a negative for Donald Trump

On balance, however, Trump probably has the most to gain from the second, and final, presidential debate of the 2020 contest. With many postal and early ballots cast, only two weeks left and a deficit in national and some swing states, the president has few opportunities left to gain a swift decisive advantage over his opponent. Apparently, Trump favoured pushing the debate back to 29 October, perhaps to give more time for preparation amid a busy schedule of rallies, but he was dissuaded. Even if he won a debate it would be too close to polling day to change many minds that have long since been made up.  

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in