Who is the debate more important for?

[PeteB]

I will buck the trend and say Trump.  The Democratic spin machine has done a fine job in lowering expectations, so Biden just needs to appear sane and coherent in the debate to "win".

Trump on the other hand will be dogged by his convictions and issues such as abortion, affecting independent and moderate voters.  The debate is the one opportunity to convince voters in the middle to give him another chance. It is almost a "do or die" moment for him.