Clinton, Trump prepare to debate each other

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump needs to prove to voters that he has the policy depth and gravitas to serve as commander-in-chief.

Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, needs a moment to connect with Americans who question whether she can be trusted.

In an election year that has upended political convention, the candidates’ best opportunity to conquer their weaknesses will come in the most traditional of campaign forums: today’s 90-minute, primetime debate.

Both campaigns expect a record-setting television audience for the high-stakes showdown, which could help tip the balance in a tight White House race.

The visuals alone will be striking as the candidates step behind their podiums at Hofstra University in suburban New York.

Clinton will be the first woman to take the stage in a presidential general election debate.

Trump has spent years on Americans’ television screens as a reality show host, but it can still be jarring to see him at politics’ upper echelons.

Six weeks from Election Day, and with early voting already underway, the opening debate is one of the few opportunities left for the candidates to motivate supporters and sway a narrow band of undecided voters. According to a new Associated Press-Gfk poll, more than 85% of likely voters backing Clinton or Trump say their minds are completely made up. About 13% said they were undecided.

The candidates’ preparations have been a microcosm of their sharply different approaches to politics and presumably, the presidency.

The Democratic nominee has taken full days away from campaign travel to pore over briefing books, practising to pounce if Trump makes false statements and steeling herself for the possibility that he levels deeply personal attacks.

Longtime Clinton aide Philippe Reines is playing Trump in mock debates, according to an anonymous source. Reines is a combative political operative who is deeply loyal to Clinton.

Trump has eschewed traditional debate preparations, but has held mid-flight policy discussions with a rotating cast of advisers.

He’s also spent numerous Sundays batting around ideas with aides.

The Republican businessman’s loose approach is potentially risky, given that he is new to many policy issues expected to come up.

But advisers contend he will compensate by being quick on his feet and point to his experience at performing under pressure.