Joe Biden and Donald Trump are preparing to face each other in the first debate of the 2024 US presidential election campaign, marking a pivotal moment ahead of the November vote.
After months of trading jabs, the Democratic and Republican frontrunners will take the stage in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday evening, just under five months before the election on November 5.
Current opinion polls indicate that President Biden and former President Trump are in a close race, with experts suggesting that the outcome may hinge on a few critical swing states.
What to Expect from the Debate
Participants:
Biden, the incumbent Democrat, and Trump, the Republican challenger, will meet for their first debate of the 2024 election cycle. Their last debate occurred on October 22, 2020, during the previous presidential race.
To qualify for the debate, candidates needed to meet criteria established by CNN, the event’s host. These criteria included being on enough state ballots to potentially win the Electoral College and having at least 15 percent support in four national polls of registered or likely voters.
Location and Timing:
The debate will commence at 9 PM local time (01:00 GMT) at CNN’s studios in Atlanta.
Hosts:
CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the debate.
Format:
The debate will last for 90 minutes, including two commercial breaks. Biden and Trump will stand behind podiums, and their microphones will be muted when it is not their turn to speak. Candidates are permitted to use a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water, but no props or pre-written notes are allowed. Additionally, there will be no audience to maximize the time allotted for the debate.
Significance of Televised Debates:
While many voters have already decided whom they will support, televised debates can still play a crucial role in swaying undecided voters. A Pew Research Center poll from 2016 revealed that 63 percent of voters found presidential debates helpful in making their decision.
According to Alan Schroeder, professor emeritus of journalism at Northeastern University and author of Presidential Debates: Risky Business on the Campaign Trail, the debate could be pivotal in such a close race. “In a tight contest, a debate can be significant because it might break the deadlock,” he noted.
Timing of the Debate:
The 2024 debates are occurring earlier than usual. Typically held in September and October after party conventions, this year’s schedule was moved up following requests from both campaigns to engage voters before early voting begins.
Biden’s campaign advocated for this change, criticizing the traditional schedule for starting debates after many Americans have already voted. They also cited the large in-person audiences as unnecessary for effective debates.
Expected Debate Topics:
The economy, immigration, public safety, and reproductive rights are expected to dominate the discussion, as these issues are top priorities for voters. Foreign policy, particularly positions on Israel’s war in Gaza, support for Ukraine, and relations with China, will also likely be addressed.
Additionally, the state of US democratic institutions is anticipated to be a key topic, with Biden likely to highlight Trump’s perceived threats to democracy, especially in light of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Trump’s legal troubles may also come up, but pressing too hard on this issue could backfire, according to Schroeder.
Debate Viewership:
While early debates may attract fewer viewers, interest in the race and candidate appeal can significantly impact audience numbers. For instance, the first 2020 debate drew over 73 million viewers.
What Else to Watch For:
Elaine Kamarck of the Brookings Institution suggests that viewers will be keen to observe the candidates’ vigor, given concerns about their ages. Additionally, Schroeder is interested in the candidates’ demeanor towards each other, noting that civility and humanity can be telling.
How to Watch:
The debate will air on CNN and stream on CNN.com, with additional availability on the Max streaming platform and other US networks.
Next Debate:
Biden and Trump have agreed to a second debate on September 10, hosted by ABC News.