 Early in the debate, Biden officials started telling reporters the president had a cold and a sore throat, an effort to explain why his voice sounded weak and raspy. Now, again, Biden aides and allies had worried for months about whether he should take part in the traditional presidential debates. Some vigorously argued he should not participate, concerned he was not up to the task, and Trump would dominate the encounter with his shouting and bluster. Others thought skipping a debate would make Biden look weak.