Who is the debate more important for?

[Radicalneo]

I can see the case for both.
For Biden: The public perceives the current administration as old and incompetent. This may be his chance to show that he is still functional. Additionally, voters may be reminded of Trump’s antics.

For Trump: The public wants to see Trump come off as calm. Opinion polls show that public opinion of him hasn’t lessened since he left office.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Biden, hands down. Trump can do whatever he wants all the time and his cult will back him. Biden needs a big affirmative moment to help finally coalesce the Democratic base and combat Trump's narratives. This debate is the perfect opportunity for that, at least for a time, and Trump would honestly be better off continuing to do what he is now and back out of the debate. He'd be called a pussy, rightfully so, but there will be excuses for it that would not hamper his campaign as much as ditching it would absolutely ruin Biden's campaign.

It's the central theme of this election: Trump and Republicans being held to bedrock standards while Democrats have to be as perfect as possible.

[VBM]

Biden, hands down. Trump can do whatever he wants all the time and his cult will back him. Biden needs a big affirmative moment to help finally coalesce the Democratic base and combat Trump's narratives. This debate is the perfect opportunity for that, at least for a time, and Trump would honestly be better off continuing to do what he is now and back out of the debate. He'd be called a pussy, rightfully so, but there will be excuses for it that would not hamper his campaign as much as ditching it would absolutely ruin Biden's campaign.

It's the central theme of this election: Trump and Republicans being held to bedrock standards while Democrats have to be as perfect as possible.

This has been the central theme of the last few elections

[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.

[SnowLabrador]

Biden, but it isn't likely to move the needle. What we truly need is a better candidate.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Biden, hands down. Trump can do whatever he wants all the time and his cult will back him. Biden needs a big affirmative moment to help finally coalesce the Democratic base and combat Trump's narratives. This debate is the perfect opportunity for that, at least for a time, and Trump would honestly be better off continuing to do what he is now and back out of the debate. He'd be called a pussy, rightfully so, but there will be excuses for it that would not hamper his campaign as much as ditching it would absolutely ruin Biden's campaign.

It's the central theme of this election: Trump and Republicans being held to bedrock standards while Democrats have to be as perfect as possible.

This has been the central theme of the last few elections

You are right, but it's worse now than ever since Trump has become more awful.

[JSojourner]

Biden, sadly.

Because Trumplethinskin has successfully lowered the bar for himself such that, being a senile, bigoted, and complete imbecile, it’s somehow perceived by the suggestible and easily-led electorate as “speaking his mind” and being “one of us”.

If President Bonespurs is “one of us”, America DESERVES to be flushed into the sewer.