Another important week for Donald Trump. He is widely expected to go ballistic at rallies and portray himself as an angry, defiant martyr as his courtroom dramas continue. Many voters consider this inappropriate and wrong, polls say. But can he throttle back?

A big plurality of Americans say Donald Trump’s behavior and comments have been mostly inappropriate during his hush-money trial, according to latest CNN poll. Trump draws massive media coverage portraying himself as a victim in frequent remarks to reporters outside courtroom.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump have agreed to debate in the presidential race, but it’s not a sure thing. What about including third party and independent candidates? How many debates would there be? Moderators? Ground rules? They are a long way from making debates happen.

Only 64 per cent of registered voters have a high level of interest in the upcoming presidential election, a nearly 20-year low, according to a new NBC poll. This makes it more urgent for Biden and Trump to get their core supporters to the polls in November.

Action or stalemate on key measures, including aid to Ukraine and Israel, during the next several days will determine if the Republican-led House of Representatives is capable of governing. The job of Speaker Johnson is also in jeopardy from GOP hardliners.

Trump gets massive media coverage for caustic comments outside the courtroom in NY. He is undermining the credibility of his hush-money trial, his other cases and the overall judicial system. For context and history, see my new book “The Architects of Toxic Politics in America.”

Several major news organizations post open letter urging President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump to participate in televised debates in advance of the election. Trump says he is willing to debate Biden; Biden noncommittal. Debates not a sure thing this time.

Majority House Republicans tied in knots again, this time over approving a surveillance bill. Can they govern?

Many voters tell pollsters they are still being hurt by inflation, including high prices for groceries and gasoline. Today’s official report of an uptick in inflation suggests that inflation concerns are warranted. Will Biden and his policy-makers respond effectively?

One reason the presidential race remains close: A strong jobs market, shown by new federal reports, helps Biden but millions of Americans say inflation is still hurting them and blame Biden for not doing enough. Trump has different set of weaknesses, strengths. Toss-up contest.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 — 56 years ago today. It was an awful day for the country and the killing ignited riots in 100 communities. 1968 was a very polarized time. I hope we are not headed into the same depths of division and toxicity this year.

President Biden moves ahead of former President Trump 44 per cent to 42 per cent in the latest Morning Consult poll. Trump was leading by five points in January. This is good news for Biden but there is still a long way to go until the election.

Polls suggest movement of some African-American and Latino voters to Trump from Biden. One explanation is the perception that the economy was better under Trump as inflation increased under Biden. Democrats want the Biden campaign to more aggressively address this issue.

Harsh, contradictory reactions to Trump posting photo of a truck containing the fake picture of a tied-up seemingly abducted Joe Biden. These reactions show many Americans sinking deeper into fear, anger and contempt for each other. Unity impossible in this atmosphere?

House Republicans are targeting Social Security, Medicare and other popular social programs in their budget proposals. This is an avenue the Democrats have used before to defeat Republicans in elections. Likely to be a strong weapon against the GOP again this year.

My sense is that most voters aren’t following the seemingly endless series of allegations and supposed criminal acts swirling around Trump and Biden. Voters will pay attention when and if there are verdicts and resolutions. This is a very pragmatic outlook.

Biden supporters increase criticism of mainstream media for not portraying Trump negatively enough. They fret that key constituencies don’t realize how much trouble Trump would cause if he returned to the presidency. This criticism further erodes trust in media, already low.

Cautionary note: It usually takes a few days for perceptions about a State of the Union address to solidify and sink in. Much depends on media coverage and whether the dramatic moments resonate. My view is that Biden was strong, vigorous and tough. This should help him.

Biden and Trump are on a collision course. Super Tuesday contests moved them much closer to their presidential nominations. Sad to say, it will be one of the most toxic campaigns in U.S. history.

As voting begins on Super Tuesday, here are some of the big questions: Will Trump lock up the Republican nomination? Will this be Nikki Haley‘s last stand? How big will the anti-Trump vote be? Will there be more warning signs for Biden about his vulnerabilities? Stay tuned.