2020 Democrats to converge for debates

Biden leads in recent polls of party members by 7 to 27 percentage points

Joe Biden won't be on the stage, but the former US vice-president and front-runner for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination is likely to be the target when 10 rivals hold their first debate on Wednesday in Miami, Florida.

The 76-year-old Biden, who has participated in the past in at least 16 debates as a presidential or vice-presidential candidate, is expected to again be the target when he is on stage on Thursday for the second debate with nine other candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to face US President Donald Trump in 2020.