With only hours to go before the first presidential debate, you’d think things would be all set but for the shouting. But no. Both camps are pushing for last minute changes.

Joe Wants Breaks

According to Fox News, Joe Biden’s campaign has been pressing really hard in recent weeks for there to be breaks every thirty minutes during the debate. Trump’s campaign has refused. As a source told Fox News, “our guy doesn’t need breaks. He gives 90-minute speeches all the time.”

As I wrote yesterday, this fits with what figures to be a Trump strategy. Don’t let Biden rest. Make him go a full energetic 90 minutes. Turn the presidential debate into a stress test.

Will Biden’s team get their way? Stay tuned, as they say. 

But certainly the White House is keen on making an issue of it. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnary tweeted, “There are no breaks when you’re leader of the free world, Joe.”

Biden is asking for a break every 30 minutes during tonight’s debate!

There are no breaks when you’re leader of the free world, Joe! https://t.co/2lMiKAHD7Q

— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) September 29, 2020

Trump Wants Ears Inspected

The Trump campaign wants to get inside Biden’s head. Literally and figuratively. They are requesting a third party inspect the ears of both candidates for electronic devices or transmitters. Trump has already agreed. The Biden camp has not.

In fact, according to Tim Murtaugh, Director of Communications for Trump 2020, Biden’s people did agree to the inspection a few days ago, but suddenly this morning backed out.

Joe Biden’s handlers several days ago agreed to a pre-debate inspection for electronic earpieces but today abruptly reversed themselves & declined. Biden asked for multiple breaks during the debate, which President Trump doesn’t need, so we have rejected that request.

When asked about the charge, Biden senior advisor Symone Sanders said, “This is so ridiculous. This is absolutely ridiculous.”

Is Biden really backing down from an inspection or does he just want negotiating leverage? Either way, it’s a bad look.

Clearly, Trump wants to convey the message Biden cannot answer questions without some outside guidance. Thing is, if Joe is getting assistance during the debate it should be obvious. Just as when he requests his teleprompter to be moved up as he answers simple questions from supporters. So at the end of the day the request seems more like a troll than a serious demand.  

But if Biden’s people changed their position on an inspection at the last minute, that is serious.

One has to wonder: Are they creating a situation where they suddenly decide to pull their guy because they couldn’t reach agreement on debate rules? Or is this all gamesmanship on both sides?

As of now, the debate remains scheduled for 9 p.m., Eastern.