Biden vs. Trump. Is a debate fair game to test mental acuity?

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Presidential debates matter, but not always in the ways that the participants think. Seven years after the first ones, in 1960, Richard Nixon admitted that he felt his lack of proper makeup was a big factor in his losing the 1960 election to JFK. In reality, there was probably no amount of makeup that would have helped Nixon overcome the radiant clarity of his opponent.

In perhaps the most famous moment of presidential debates, between President Reagan, then age 73, and former Vice President Walter Mondale, Reagan famously said, "I want you to know also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience."

What may easily be overlooked in this seminal moment in debate history is not only the way that Reagan turned a seeming disadvantage into an advantage, but also the charm and humor and ease with which he did so. I am one who always felt Reagan’s acting skills were underrated, and they always served him well as president.

EXCLUSIVE: TRUMP TAKES DEBATE PREP TO CAMPAIGN TRAIL, CALLS IT A WINNING STRATEGY

Flash forward to now, and this week’s upcoming CNN Presidential Debate simulcast on Fox Newsbetween former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. If last weekend’s rally in Philadelphia is any indication, where Trump made