How should Biden counteract Trump's edges on handling the economy and China?

[Bidenworth2020]

In the NBC/WSJ poll, which gave Biden a relatively robust 7 point lead, voters still gave Trump a clear edge on handling the economy, at 48-35 in his favor, and a smaller but noticeable edge on handling China at 43-40. What should Biden and his campaign do to try and take the edge on these issues, considering these are the only things keeping Trump in the ballgame?

[Ferguson97]

Come out a bit more hawkish on China.

For the economy, just hammer home the "are you better off than you were 4 years ago?".

[Progressive Pessimist]

They aren't that big of advantages, and I am willing to bet that very few are going to actually make their decision on China. Trump has his slight edges there entirely because he talks tough, but for China all Biden has to do is refer to the clips of Trump making excuses for China, like he did early on when the virus first started spreading. In practice, Trump is just being his usual spineless, phony self and is in reality afraid of confronting the strongmen he idolizes, like Xi.

As for the economy he needs to evoke how during his time in the Obama administration, they got the country out of a recession and into a near-constant upward trajectory in economic measures, and how he intends to do the same things, and more. Meanwhile, Trump got us into a recession by squandering  the stability that the Obama-Biden administration left him with and disproportionately helping corporations and the rich above the average American. Playing into the trust angle could be effective, especially if he evokes policies like the GM bailout that may have helped Obama maintain the Rust Belt in 2012.

As simplistic as all that may sound, I still believe that Biden can back it up with wonk talk to give him better credibility on it, while still being simple enough messages for the average American find consumable and understandable enough. Honestly, these days, the simpler the better. That's one thing we learned from Trump's successes.

[CellarDoor]

Come out a bit more hawkish on China.

For the economy, just hammer home the "are you better off than you were 4 years ago?".

I've thought a lot about the bolded recently.  Biden's core message has been one about restoring the soul of this country and that the United States can accomplish anything when we work together.

If I were the Biden campaign, I would make the following slight change to the classic Reagan quote:

Are we better of than we were 4 years ago?

Small thing but I think it makes a powerful statement. 

[Progressive Pessimist]

Come out a bit more hawkish on China.

For the economy, just hammer home the "are you better off than you were 4 years ago?".

I've thought a lot about the bolded recently.  Biden's core message has been one about restoring the soul of this country and that the United States can accomplish anything when we work together.

If I were the Biden campaign, I would make the following slight change to the classic Reagan quote:

Are we better of than we were 4 years ago?

Small thing but I think it makes a powerful statement.  

That's a good idea! It also covers more than just the economy. You can also apply that to the unrest in the streets, the virus, and even just Trump's conduct as President overall.

[Mr. Smith]

Hillary was more trusted on both in 2016.

[Bidenworth2020]

Hillary was more trusted on both in 2016.

Ok? Not sure how this is in any way relevant to the discussion. Biden has and continues to post larger and more stable leads than her.

[Mr. Smith]

Hillary was more trusted on both in 2016.

Ok? Not sure how this is in any way relevant to the discussion. Biden has and continues to post larger and more stable leads than her.

My point is that these "edges" may not be the edges you think they are, just like they weren't in 2016.

[Bidenworth2020]

Hillary was more trusted on both in 2016.

Ok? Not sure how this is in any way relevant to the discussion. Biden has and continues to post larger and more stable leads than her.

My point is that these "edges" may not be the edges you think they are, just like they weren't in 2016.

True, though I suspect they are helping to Trump at least somewhat viable despite his abysmal approval rating.

[Blair]

Ignore the China part; it doesn't help Biden & is just fighting on the turf that the Trump Campaign want to be on.

I really don't think it moves voters as much as people think it would.

[Nightcore Nationalist]

This seems extremely obvious to me, and honestly, Biden has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking a more hawkish stance on China, particularly centre-right voters who are on the fence.

The first step is easy: point out Trump's hypocrisy and relative weakness.  Show his litany of tweets lavishing praise on Chairman Xi and how he broke his campaign promises of being "tough on China".  Trump also waited a very long time to say anything about the Hong Kong protests, and the brutality that Beijing has treated Hong Kong, both then and now.  He can also argue (not without merit) that Trump's sparring with the E.U. put China in a stronger position.

Less likely however, Biden MUST change course from his outgoing position and acknowledge that China is the greatest geopolitical enemy of the free world and denounce their attempt at buying/forcing influence throughout the world including in media, entertainment and telecommunications (5G), plus continue supporting of Modi's India and Abe's Japan as Trump has.

My expectation of Biden to do the right thing on China is extremely low, even with Trump's laziness, relative apathy and incompetence.  Biden's geopolitical mindset is stuck in the 1970s when China was an agrarian, dirt poor backwater.


As far as the economy, just argue that the growth would have continued anyway and 80% of the tax cuts benefited the wealthy.  Also say that the stock market is not reflective of Jobs and tangible economic health. I doubt many minds will be changed about the economy.

[Person Man]

Are Trump's advantage on the economy specific to him because he has the reputation of being a money guy? "He's rich, so if we vote for him, we will be rich too. It makes perfect sense!"