The White House said Monday that President Obama plans to watch tonight’s debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and offered some advice to Clinton.
Spokesman Josh Earnest said it’s important for Clinton to “talk about those aspects of her career that provide some insight so people understand exactly what motivates her to seek the office of the presidency.”
“She’s got a strong case to make,” he said.
Earnest said he had no advice for Trump just hours before the debate. “Even if we did, I’m confident it will go unheard,” he said.
He said the White House is confident that NBC News’ Lester Holt will fairly moderate the first presidential debate.
“Anyone who has spent any time around Lester [knows that] he is someone who is always well-prepared,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters Monday afternoon. He said Holt would “perform well even under the intense spotlight.”
Clinton’s campaign over the weekend urged Holt and other debate organizers to provide some fact-checking to Trump’s assertions so Clinton wouldn’t have to spend so much of her time trying to set the record straight on his statements, and can spend more time laying out her vision for the presidency.
