Biden aides plotted debate strategy for months. Then it all collapsed.

CAMP DAVID, Md. — President Biden’s debate prep went fine. In the sessions, the president still spoke haltingly.

He sometimes confused facts and figures. He tripped over words and meandered. Debate prep would not fix his stutter or make him appear any younger, aides knew.



But as Biden boarded Marine One to leave the rustic Camp David presidential retreat for Atlanta, they sought to reassure anxious allies. The president, they said, was prepared and would perform well. Some said the debate might even be boring.

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