Conservatives could accidentally help Biden win his debate with Trump | Margaret Sullivan

Biden has a tough task ahead in this week's debate - but, thanks in part to rightwing attacks, the bar he faces is low

If Joe Biden is to win November's election, he must win this week's televised debate. He must come off as energetic and competent. He must make the case, persuasively, that Donald Trump is a danger to the nation and the world. And, perhaps most of all, he must seem mentally sharp.

That's a lot to do in under 90 minutes, especially while sharing the stage with someone as unpredictable as Trump, whose dominant personality and in-your-face tactics can put him at an advantage.

Margaret Sullivan is a Guardian US columnist writing on media, politics and culture