It’s caution vs WrestleMania

The US presidential candidates are prepping for a series of debates which will feature a marked clash of styles

Hillary Clinton is methodically preparing for the presidential debates as a veteran lawyer would approach her biggest trial. The Democrat pores over briefing books thick with policy arcana and opposition research. She internalises tips from the most seasoned debate coaches in her party. And she rehearses, over and over again, to perfect the pacing and substance of her presentation.

Donald Trump is taking a different approach. The Republican summons his informal band of counsellors — including former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, talk-radio host Laura Ingraham and ousted Fox News Channel chairman Roger Ailes — to his New Jersey golf course for Sunday chats. Over bacon cheeseburgers, hot dogs and glasses of Coca-Cola, they test out zingers and chew over ways to refine his pitch.

Trump's aides have put together briefing books, not that the candidate is devoting much time to reading them. Trump is not holding any mock debates, proudly boasting that a performer with his talents does not need that sort of prepping. Should Trump submit to traditional rehearsals, some associates are talking about casting Ingraham, an adversarial chronicler of Clinton scandals, to play the Democratic nominee.

“Donald Trump is the unpredictable X-factor and Hillary Clinton is the scripted statist,” said Kellyanne Conway, Trump's new campaign manager. “I fully understand why Team Clinton feels the need to drown her in briefing books and Hollywood consulting.”

The first of three presidential debates, on September 27, promises to be one of the highest-rated television events of the year, the first opportunity for voters to evaluate the candidates side by side and one of the last moments for either to alter the trajectory of the race.

Clinton's advisers are confident the debates will showcase her experi- ence, judgment, gravitas and command of policy. “She feels like it is a proving ground, that this is a job interview,” Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon said. “I think she will approach the debate with a great deal of seriousness and a sense of purpose, and also keenly aware that Donald Trump is capable of anything.”

Clinton must not only parry what her campaign expects will be a stream of insults and innuendo from Trump, but she also must overcome the perception among many voters that she is not trustworthy. “People think that they have to land zingers and pivot and attack — and that's true, but ultimately, you want your viewers to come away with a gut feeling that I like this person,” said former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm.

For Trump, who trails Clinton in nearly all national and battlegroundstate polls, the debates represent perhaps his best opportunity to change perceptions. The outsider candidate needs to convince voters that he is up for the job. Known for an unpredictable and, at times, erratic temperament, Trump must prove that he can be a steady commander in chief, with an understanding of the issues. And after more than a year of making damaging comments about women and minorities, he will try to use the big debate stage to show that he would be an inclusive president.

“You're going to see a very natural and normal guy — someone who is comfortable with who he is, not someone who's highly scripted or nervous,” Giuliani said.

“Not only does he want 100 million viewers, he wants to be a showstopper at the Roman Colosseum, the main event at WrestleMania,” said Sam Nunberg, a former adviser who helped the billionaire chart his White House run. “He's going to love this, eat it up and take her on. For Hillary to go in and think she'll be professional and wonky, or give a long lecture, that'll play against her.” October 5, 2pm to 3.30pm Tim Kaine, Mike Pence Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia Vice-Presidential. Debate will be divided into nine time segments. Moderator October 10, 2pm to 3.30pm Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri Presidential. Town meeting. Moderator and citizen questions October 20, 2pm to 3.30pm Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada Presidential. Six time segments on major topics. Moderator