Fox News host and former Congressman Trey Gowdy on Friday urged Republicans not to downplay their performance in next week’s debate between President Biden and former President Trump.
Fox News host Shannon Bream spoke with Gowdy and asked the former congressman if he was “in trouble” about debate expectations, after Republicans have for weeks described Biden as an old, frail man.
“They are [Republicans] “You have to be very careful. I mean, I don’t know why Republicans would fall into the trap of having high expectations,” Gowdy responded, presumably referring to high expectations for the former president’s performance against Biden.
“Shannon, this debate is so interesting to me because of the combination of topic and acuity and content and awareness,” Gowdy continued. “The audience is not only watching to see what you’re going to say, but also whether or not you’re fit for the presidency. So I can’t remember a debate in my lifetime where these two issues have been at the forefront of both candidates’ minds.”
Trump and his allies suggested last week that a strong debate performance by Biden could be dismissed as a farce, circulating unfounded claims that if Biden had a well-received night it would be because of performance-enhancing drugs.
Trump said Thursday that he didn’t want to underestimate Biden ahead of the debate scheduled for June 27 on CNN.
“All I can say is this: I watched him against Paul Ryan and he crushed Paul Ryan,” Trump said during an episode of his “All In” podcast. “And he beat Paul Ryan. So I don’t underestimate him.”
Before serving as vice president under President Barack Obama, Biden faced off against former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) in the vice presidential debate in 2012. Biden gave an energetic and competitive performance and was widely considered the favorite.
