NEWS AND OPINION:

The clock is ticking on the presidential debate between President Biden and former President Donald Trump, which is now just 10 days away. The big event is scheduled for June 27 in Atlanta and will air on CNN with moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash — both regulars on the cable network.

A veteran political observer has a few comments to make.

“Citing the clock is a trick left-leaning moderators often use to rescue Democratic candidates from a jam,” New York Post columnist Michael Goodwin wrote in an opinion piece on Sunday.

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“When he’s on offense, the president will repeatedly turn to the buzz-words that resonate with the Dems’ base: Jan. 6, convicted felon and democracy, democracy, democracy,” Mr. Goodwin predicted.

“Trump will have to answer each charge repeatedly, and his answers are likely to include accusations that Biden is orchestrating the string of prosecutions and civil cases against him. At the same time, Trump can make debate history by honestly saying that indictments by Democrat prosecutors helped make him the nominee,” he continued.

“More important than any choice of words, however, will be Trump’s demeanor.

“The best antidote to the left’s caricatures of him as a fascist and a buffoon are calm, coherent and factual responses. Bottom line: He needs to act and sound more like a president than a challenger,” Mr. Goodwin advised.

AND ONE MORE THING

The push for support goes ever onward.

Former President Donald Trump announced Saturday the backing of “Black Americans for Trump” — a coalition he said includes dozens of endorsements from elected officials, athletes, entertainers, community leaders, and pastors.

Sen. Tim Scott, South Carolina Republican, said that “Black voters are rallying around Donald J. Trump because of jobs and justice. There is a clear contrast this election, as Black voters experience the loss of spending power under Biden, the ravaging of their neighborhoods because of crime under Democrat leadership, and Biden’s border disproportionately hurting communities of color. Donald Trump offers the best path forward. It’s not just a Black agenda, it is an American agenda.”

The South Carolina Republican was not the only elected official to offer an endorsement. This list also includes Reps. Byron Donalds of Florida, Wesley Hunt of Texas, Burgess Owens of Utah and John James of Michigan.

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson — a current candidate for North Carolina governor — and Melanie Collette — Cape May County Commissioner in New Jersey — also endorsed Mr. Trump.

See the complete list of endorsements at donaldjtrump.com/news.

BURGUM ON THE BORDER

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has confidence that a certain former president has both the know-how and resolve to solve border-related problems.

“President Trump knows how to shut down the border — and we know that our own Border Patrol knows how to shut down the border if they’re supported. Effectively, what the Biden administration has done with their lack of support for law enforcement at the border is the same thing that the Blue Cities have done. They’ve defunded the police,” Mr. Burgum told “Fox News Sunday” anchor Shannon Bream.

The governor also revealed that he has visited the southern U.S. border more than President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in recent days.

“When you’re down there and seeking the ground truth and you see the challenge we have here, I mean, just my last trip down there, you know, there has been a huge increase in people coming from China — and people from 140 countries,” Mr. Burgum said.

That also includes members of ISIS, he noted.

“The possibility of a 9/11-type terror attack happening in our country has gone up dramatically, and I think the American people are ready to get behind a president who says we’re going to make sure we can’t have national security unless we have border security,” Mr. Burgum advised.

“We can make that happen on Day One. And part of it is just supporting the people that can do it. Executive orders, whatever it takes, we know that Donald Trump will close the border,” the governor noted.

THE REALITY CHECK

The aforementioned Gov. Doug Burgum has reason for concern.

In an appearance before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement on May 29, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley told lawmakers that the Border Patrol stopped 548 attempted illegal entries into North Dakota from Canada in fiscal 2021. But in fiscal 2023, Mr. Wrigley said, that number soared to 4,444.

Customs and Border Patrol officers, meanwhile, continue their vigilant stand on the southern border — and here’s just three examples among many reported last week

Officers in Blytheville, California, discovered 25 AK-47-style rifles, 25 30-round magazines and two pistols hidden in a private vehicle bound for Mexico.

Meanwhile, Office of Field Operations officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge in Hidalgo, Texas, intercepted $503,200 worth of cocaine concealed within a vehicle arriving from Mexico.

And one more: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, also in Hidalgo, seized $185,000 in unreported currency hidden within a vehicle during an “outbound examination.”

Find this federal agency at CBP.gov.

POLL DU JOUR

• 93% of U.S. workers say they are proud of the work they do.

• 88% say their work is “meaningful.”

• 86% say they often feel “fully engaged” at work.

• 83% say their workplace gives them resources to achieve their best work,

• 78% have confidence in their organizations CEO or primary leader.

• 75% say their monetary compensation is adequate.

• 72% believe they can reach their “highest potential” at work.

• 67% worry their compensation has not kept up with inflation.

• 66% say their work receives praise from supervisors.

• 45% say they have to work more hours per week than they want.

SOURCE: An American Psychological Association/Harris Poll survey of 2,027 employed U.S. adults conducted March 25-April 3 and released June 13.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on x @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.