They're trying to appeal to the moderate middle. Joe's Leftist support is not going anywhere. Tjhey're certainly not staying home when they've been motivated enough to burn down half the country.
Exactly. The votes of the hardcore left are cemented. The votes of the hardcore Trump supporters are cemented too. Obviously. The debates mean nothing to either of them other than to give them an opportunity to say "My guy beat the pants off your guy!". But none of that matters. The debates, and the advertising that will fill the airwaves through to election day are... or should be.. all about coaxing those middle-of-the-roaders to vote for candidate A or candidate B. The Caspar Milquetoasts. The "I don't pay too much attention to politics" people. The undecideds. And yes, there are still some of those out there, and yes, the candidates NEED those votes. And while Biden certainly did not present himself as much of a candidate for these folks, Trump showed himself as a type of candidate that probably just turns off these undecided voters.
What the candidates say is not nearly as important as HOW they say it. In fact, what they say (or do) is not really important at all to a great many people. It's all about looks. Perception. Feelings. Sad, but true.
