WASHINGTON — The Biden campaign and its allies plan to host 1,600 events and run a new series of TV and digital ads ahead of Thursday’s presidential debate, which they called “one of the first moments… when a greater share of the American electorate” will tune into the campaign, according to a new memo first obtained by NBC News.
The events include a nationwide mobilization of surrogates, events targeting groups the campaign believes are crucial to the coalition, such as members of the LGBTQ community and students, and 300 evenings of debate.
Some of those viewing parties will be hosted by social media content creators — who the campaign says it will grant access to the post-debate spin room, a place typically reserved for media with degrees.
This pre-debate will kick off Monday, when the campaign and its allies will host 16 events in a dozen states to mark the second anniversary of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, including events with Vice President Kamala Harris in Maryland and Arizona.
The Biden campaign wants to present the debate as “two different visions of the future,” drawing a contrast between the presumptive nominees in a razor-thin race less than five months before voters cast their ballots.
Voters will see: “President Biden, fighting for the American people, and Donald Trumpwho will take the stage as a convicted felon who will fight for himself no matter how much harm he causes to the American people,” Biden campaign spokesman Michael Tyler said in the memo.
Tyler laid out the key issues where Trump “continues to pose the most extreme threat,” pointing to the end of Roe v. Wade, attacks on democracy and economic plans.
An April NBC News poll found that a large number of registered voters — 23% — said inflation and the cost of living were the most important issue facing the country. But the same poll showed Trump with a 22-point lead when voters were asked which of the two men could better handle the issue.
Biden will spend several days at Camp David to prepare for Thursday’s debate, including meeting face-to-face with his personal lawyer Bob Bauer, who plays the role of Trump. Bauer also played Trump during debate prep in 2020.
Bauer is joined by a slew of Biden confidants working to prepare the president for the debate, including former chief of staff Ron Klain, campaign chair Jennifer O’Malley Dillon and senior White House adviser Anita Dunn.
Trump has held informal policy sessions ahead of the debate. A campaign official also said Trump’s rallies and interviews show “elite staying power,” adding that the former president “doesn’t need to be programmed by staff” like Biden.
Polls show the race for the Oval Office is neck and neck, with a Fox News poll last week showing Biden with support from 50% of registered voters, while Trump with 48% support, which is within the margin of error the bearing is located.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
