Chuck Todd: The campaign shakeup Biden needed

Whatever happens in the first debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, it’s guaranteed to be among the most consequential moments of this campaign.

Whatever happens in the first debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, it’s guaranteed to be among the most consequential moments of this campaign. And depending on the performance or one or both, holding that early debate in June could be the most consequential decision of this campaign.

To claim we are in uncharted waters or unprecedented territory is an understatement’s understatement. But make no mistake, the trajectory of this race for Biden — coupled with the outside events that are all working against the incumbent right now, namely inflation and Israel’s military operation in Gaza — was not sustainable, so the Biden campaign had to do something to change it.

It’s possible that Biden could have waited until the pre-scheduled debates in September or October to hope for a game-changing moment. But that would have been cutting it close.

Waiting until the fall to create a better contrast with Trump would have limited the opportunities to call audibles if Plan A didn’t work. Biden needed to shake up this race before the summer season of conventions and the Olympics.

Ultimately, the goal for Biden is to change the perception of him, not just the race. Last week, I wrote the following about voter perceptions of weakness from Biden and strength from Trump:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/chuck-todd-campaign-shakeup-biden-needed-rcna153263

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