On June 27th, the current President Biden and former President Trump are gearing up for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election, set to take place in Atlanta. A Democratic strategist who managed Obama’s 2012 campaign described it as potentially the most crucial debate in recent memory.
The upcoming 90-minute debate between Biden and Trump, hosted by CNN, is expected to be one of the most significant presidential debates in America in decades. Both candidates are employing different strategies to prepare for the debate, sparking intense speculation about their tactics and performances.
According to reports by the Associated Press, this presidential debate hosted by CNN is anticipated to bring many ‘firsts’ and could reshape the landscape of US presidential elections. It marks the first time a debate of this magnitude is held before the National Conventions of both parties. Despite qualifying for their party’s nominations, neither Biden nor Trump has been officially nominated yet, making it the first modern-era US presidential debate between presumed nominees even before their party conventions.
Moreover, the matchup between the 81-year-old Biden and 78-year-old Trump is the first in US history featuring two candidates of such advanced age vying for the presidency. Adding to the intrigue is Trump’s impending sentencing following a conviction on 34 felony counts in the New York “hush money” trial, making this debate the first in US history to feature a contender with criminal charges.
Since Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election, the tables have turned, with Trump now challenging Biden. The debate on June 27th is shaping up to be their first direct confrontation in the new election cycle.
The basic rules of the June 27th debate are unconventional. There will be no live audience in the CNN studio in Atlanta, where the debate will take place at 9:00 PM local time. Both candidates will have their microphones muted by default, only turning on when it’s their turn to speak. They are limited to a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water on stage, prohibited from using any props or pre-prepared notes.
The candidates will not have opening statements. Following a coin toss, Biden will stand on the right side of the stage, with Trump on the left, and Trump will have the opportunity for the final closing statement. Throughout the debate, there will be two commercial breaks, giving the debaters a chance to catch their breath.
The next debate between them won’t take place until September 10th, which will be supported by ABC. Any misstep in the June 27th debate could have unforeseen consequences for both candidates.
Biden’s campaign team has devoted an entire week to meticulous preparations for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election on June 27th. Alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, the Biden-Harris campaign released a memorandum on June 23rd detailing the campaign activities and advertisements voters can expect in the coming days.
Michael Tyler, the campaign’s communications director, emphasized the focus on key battleground states with over 1,600 community events, trainings, and canvassing efforts leading up to the debate. More than 300 debate watch parties are also planned for Thursday night.
The Biden team has launched new television, radio, and digital advertisements ahead of the debate, highlighting Trump’s stance on reproductive rights, the economy for the middle class, and threats to the democratic system. They are engaging young voters through platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
The Biden camp acknowledges that while the debate may not immediately impact Biden’s current polling numbers, they are ready for a sustained campaign strategy beyond the debate. They see this event as setting the tone for the election, drawing attention and engaging the public early on.
Leading up to the debate, Biden has been undergoing rigorous simulated training sessions at Davy Retreat. Expressing confidence in his preparation, Biden indicated he was fully committed to showcasing his vision and leadership during the debate.
The upcoming presidential debate on June 27th marks a pivotal moment in the 2024 election, as both Biden and Trump vie for swing voters — crucial in determining the outcome of the election.
Republican Senators are cautioning Trump to learn from the 2020 presidential debate. They believe that Trump’s aggressive performance and frequent interruptions during the debates with Biden may have cost him support among the undecided voters.
Looking ahead to the upcoming debate, Senate Majority Whip John Thune expressed that Trump should exhibit strength and leadership while maintaining composure, allowing Biden to showcase his positions.
Senator Lindsey Graham added that Trump should focus on the right track versus the wrong track, emphasizing clarity over radicalism to win over voters.
Trump’s team sees the debate as an opportunity to contrast Trump’s leadership and accomplishments with Biden’s. While Trump has not engaged in formal debate preparation, he has participated in policy discussions with senators, policy experts, and other allies.
Ohio Republican JD Vance, who has been considered as a potential running mate for Trump, advised him to center the debate around his policies and accomplishments in contrast to Biden. Vance stressed the importance of Trump highlighting the contrast between his leadership and Biden’s during the debate.
Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Brian Hughes, highlighted that Trump is prepared to showcase his successes and highlight Biden’s weaknesses during the debate.
While preparing for the debate, Trump has continued to hold large campaign rallies, attending events in Washington DC and Philadelphia last Saturday. He also planned a fundraising event in New Orleans on Monday before heading to Mar-a-Lago in Florida for a meeting.
However, Trump acknowledges the significance of the upcoming debate and the challenge posed by Biden’s reputation as a strong debater. Reflecting on Biden’s impactful debate performance in 2012, Trump expressed caution, noting the unpredictability of the upcoming debate.
Despite agreeing to the debate guidelines, Trump voiced his dissatisfaction with the absence of a live audience. At a rally in Philadelphia on June 22nd, he bemoaned the lack of ambiance, referring to the setting with only himself, Biden, the two moderators, and no live audience as dull yet possibly exciting.
Democrats, too, recognize Trump’s abilities and the importance of the upcoming debate. Bill Russo, a former Biden administration official, highlighted the focus on swing voters as pivotal in the election, noting their influence on the Electoral College.
Georgia, where Atlanta is located, is a pivotal swing state known as a battleground state. Trump won in Georgia by a 5.1-point lead in 2016 but narrowly lost in 2020 by 0.3 points. As the debate approaches on the 27th, Russo emphasized the opportunity for Trump to present himself as reasonable and appealing to swing voters, potentially gaining favorability through his performance. The debate is seen as a critical moment for Trump and his strategy to attract voters.
The presidential debate on June 27th is shaping up to be a critical event in the 2024 election, offering a platform for both candidates to present their visions and policies to the American people.