MINNEAPOLIS – Thursday night will be the first of two. presidential debates before the general elections. For both candidates, the stakes are high. The race is essentially tied, but former President Donald Trump leads President Biden in key states.
He debate It will have new rules: there will be no audience and moderators will have mute buttons to avoid the interruptions that occurred in 2020.
“We watched the last debate with them, which was just a disaster. Both sides agreed because no one can even hear them when they talk, right?” Said Republican strategist Amy Koch. “Last time, it was like yelling, yelling, yelling. And people just tuned it out because last time they were just talking over each other constantly.”
Both candidates agreed with the changes and the calendar. For Trump supporters, the rule changes have been controversial because Trump does well with the crowd.
Meanwhile, both candidates have flaws that they should minimize.
“If you’re Joe Biden, you want to make sure you’re strong, assertive and alert. Because you don’t want people to respond to you and say, ‘You know what, you’re really off your game.’ Maybe you’re too old,'” the president said. Democratic strategist Abou Amara. “And, in the case of Donald Trump, he has to make sure that he doesn’t seem unhinged, that he seems like a serious, thoughtful guy and that he wants to be president once again.”
There is pressure to avoid even the off-camera no-nos, like George HW Bush checking his watch mid-debate and Al Gore sighing.
Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, are the two oldest candidates ever to run for president.
“I think it’s really going to come down to who says the fewest mistakes or stupid or ridiculous things, as far as who won,” Koch said.
The impact could reshape the career. Right now the polls show Trump winning, but just barely.
“We’re looking at a very close race. Three key states (Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania) are in contention right now, and many other states are also very close,” said Larry Jacobs, a political analyst and professor of politics at the School of Political Affairs. Humphrey Publics of the University of Minnesota.
To prepare, Biden is holed up in the White House holding back-to-back practice debates with his lawyer playing the role of Trump. Trump hasn’t been preparing and says he’s better when he’s himself.
Thursday’s debate is the earliest ever held. Debates typically take place in late summer and fall, and run through the end of October.
The analysis is that both candidates wanted it that way in case they made mistakes and people had time to forget them.
He second debate It will be in mid-September.
Talking Points airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 6:30pm and 9:30pm, live on CBS Minnesota News.
