Handicapping the Clinton-Trump Debates

You might not believe this, but we’re just four weeks out from the first presidential debate and behind the scenes, prep is well underway. Over the weekend, the Washington Post reported that Laura Ingraham is helping the Trump campaign prepare for the debates and may even wind up playing the part of Hillary Clinton. It’s an interesting idea—Ingraham is smart and quick on her feet. But I’m not sure she’s a good analogue for how Clinton debates. Clinton is a slow and careful plodder. Never spectacular, but never exposed, either.

A better sparring partner for Trump would be Mitt Romney (whose debate style is not wholly dissimilar from Clinton’s) or Ted Cruz (who is brilliant enough to imitate anyone). Obviously, those picks are off the board.