What is the upside for Joe Biden in showing up for the ‘third’ debate next week? The best outcome for him is that Donald Trump goes off the rails again. But Trump is smart enough to tone it down, so that is not likely. Even if it does, Trump already did the damage to himself in the first debate. How more can he do?

More likely is that Biden makes a gaffe or loses his cool. Trump will hammer false stories on Hunter Biden to trigger Biden’s temper. He will lie about his COVID strategy. He will lie about his environmental record as well as Obama’s. Biden will get frustrated at trying to correct the lies and lash out. And then he will look as bad a Trump.

Is Biden that much of a risk taker that he needs the debate?