Team Trump plans debate night offensive

It’s all part of a robust response Team Trump has rapidly pulled together in recent weeks for the Democrats’ first presidential primary debate, which will stretch over Wednesday and Thursday nights. The strategy includes traditional elements — a rapid-response squad to field reporters’ questions, round-the-clock talking points and a ground force on site in Miami, where the debate is being held — but also a digitally focused war room looking for viral clips. Outside groups that support the president have also built up their own fact-checking resources and made large pre-debate ad buys, hoping to capitalize on the massive cable news audience the two-night primetime event is expected to attract…

“It is a big night for the Democrats and we will have campaign staff and surrogates watching,” said Tim Murtaugh, communications director for the Trump campaign, which put together the debate response plan with the Republican National Committee over the last two weeks. “I’m not going to detail our plans, but of course we will be paying attention.”