The leading Republican candidates, minus Donald Trump, will be debating this week. To me, the strategy is obvious.

Don’t be sidetracked into talking about Trump. That’s the Democrats’ game — there’s a reason CNN and MSNBS and the NYT are all Trump all the time. Briefly acknowledge that Trump did some good and important things for the country, but has flaws that make it time to turn the page on a generation that’s reaching its eighties and turn to younger leaders. Then stop, and don’t let the moderators goad you into saying more. Remember that the debate is about getting your message and your qualities across. Everything else is a distraction and, as regards Trump, a distraction that plays into the Democrats’ hands. Don’t fall for it.

[William Otis has a number of good suggestions for candidates. The best of these is that the candidates who are on stage need to avoid attacking each other. The only point of attack should be Biden. They should tout their own skills and accomplishments, but avoid direct contrasts, especially in the opening debate. For most of these candidates, it’s the first close look Republican primary voters will have of them, and if they start off negative and focused on internal feuding, that will be a lasting impression. — Ed]