You’re reading the Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition newsletter. Get what you need to know to start your day. Get it sent to your inbox.

       Image

       Donald Trump will address the final day of the Republican convention.Credit...Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times

       The ‘roller coaster’ presidential race The U.S. presidential race has reached a pivotal moment. Donald Trump is poised to formally accept the Republican presidential nomination in an arena packed with supporters, less than a week after he survived an assassination attempt. His opponent, President Biden, is recovering from Covid-19 at his beach house as calls for him to drop out grow louder.

       For some insight, I spoke with my colleague Jess Bidgood, who writes our On Politics newsletter and is at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

       Dan: It’s been a wild ride this week. Where do you think the race stands now?

       Jess: Up until Biden’s bad debate performance about three weeks ago, it was a fairly steady race between two familiar candidates.

       Now, after weeks of Democrats wringing their hands and an assassination attempt against Trump, I think American voters suddenly feel like they’re on a roller coaster.

       Advertisement

       SKIP ADVERTISEMENT

       What’s happening to Biden’s campaign?

       Biden is attempting to draw a contrast between himself and Trump. But as much as Biden is trying to make this race about Trump, he’s almost running against his party’s increasingly negative perception of him, and that is a really difficult position.

       Image

       The crisis engulfing President Biden’s re-election campaign has intensified.Credit...Eric Lee/The New York Times

       Subscribe to The Times to read as many articles as you like.