Hillary Clinton has been laying the groundwork ahead of this week’s first presidential debate by complaining that it’s a “waste of time” trying to argue with President Donald Trump.
In a guest essay for the New York Times on Tuesday, Clinton appeared to be preparing for Democrat President Joe Biden’s widely expected defeat on the debate stage.
Hillary claims that debating Trump is “impossible” because his arguments are not “like in a normal debate.”
“I know the excruciating pressure of walking onto that stage and that it is nearly impossible to focus on substance when Mr. Trump is involved,” Clinton wrote, as she advised Biden on how to approach the big day.
“It is a waste of time to try to refute Mr. Trump’s arguments like in a normal debate.
“It’s nearly impossible to identify what his arguments even are.”
Biden is set to debate Trump during the CNN Presidential Debate on Thursday.
It will be the first in-person face-off between the two candidates since their debates in 2020.
Clinton recounted the infamous 2016 town hall debate where Trump at times walked near her as she spoke.
“He interrupts and bullies — even stalking me around the stage at one point — because he wants to appear dominant and throw his opponent off balance,” Clinton said.
Clinton argued Trump’s strategies would fall flat if Biden is “direct and forceful.”
She went on to claim that Biden has “facts and truth on his side.”
Nevertheless, Clinton put forward several excuses for Biden before he even steps foot on the debate stage.
Hillary lamented that Biden had a disadvantage in preparing for the debate as an incumbent president.
She suggested that he didn’t have adequate time given his other duties.
Biden has been preparing for the debate over the past week with his advisers at Camp David and will remain there until Thursday.
As per the Biden campaign’s list of demands, the CNN debate won’t have a live audience.
Trump and Biden will also have their mics muted outside their speaking times.
Additionally, candidates won’t be allowed to speak to their campaign aides during commercial breaks.
Trump and Biden aren’t allowed to bring props or notes, either.
The debate is historically early in the general election cycle.
It is happening before the two men are officially nominated by their respective parties.
The timing of the event has led to speculation that the Democrats are planning to drop Biden if he fails to defeat Trump during the debate.
Clinton, who was defeated by Trump in 2016, suggested viewers pay attention to how Biden and Trump talk about people.
She urged voters to focus on the fundamentals and what’s at stake in this election, and “think about the real choice.”
“It’s between chaos and competence,” Clinton wrote, pointing to Trump’s felony convictions.
Clinton also suggested that whatever happens during the debate won’t matter, because of the contrast between the two candidates.
“This election is between a convicted criminal out for revenge and a president who delivers results for the American people,” she said.
“No matter what happens in the debate, that’s an easy choice.”
The CNN Presidential Debate will air Thursday night at 9 pm ET.
Clinton has been frustrated by voters who struggle to choose between Trump and Biden.
“We have two old candidates,” she told MSNBC in May.
“One is, yes, old and effective, has passed legislation that I think is going to put America on such a strong footing for the future, is compassionate, cares about people, tries hard to make the right decision, and they are complicated.
“The other is old and dangerous.
“I mean, why is that a hard choice for people?”
