Fox News host and former Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) on Friday urged Republicans against discounting President Biden’s debate performance against former President Trump next week.
Fox News host Shannon Bream, speaking with Gowdy, asked the former congressman if Republicans are “in trouble” regarding debate expectations after spending weeks characterizing Biden as an old, feeble man.
“They [Republicans] gotta be very careful. I mean, I don’t know why Republicans fall into this trap of setting high expectations,” Gowdy responded, presumably referring to setting high expectations for the former president’s performance against Biden.
“This debate, Shannon, to me is fascinating because it’s a combination of agenda and acuity, it’s content and cognitions,” Gowdy continued. “So the viewers will be watching both not only what you say, but are you fit for office? So, I don’t recall a debate in my lifetime where both of those issues were front and center for both of the candidates.”
Trump and his allies suggested last week they could dismiss any strong debate performance by Biden as a charade, floating baseless claims that if Biden has a well-received night, it would be thanks to a performance enhancing drug.
Trump on Thursday said he does not want to underestimate Biden ahead of the debate, slated for June 27 on CNN.
“Well, all I can say is this: I watched him with Paul Ryan, and he destroyed Paul Ryan,” Trump said during an episode of the “All-In podcast. “And he beat Paul Ryan, so, I’m not underestimating him.”
Biden went up against former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) in the 2012 vice presidential debate before he went on to serve as vice president for former President Obama. Biden was largely thought of as the dominant figure in the debate, bringing an energetic and combative performance.