Biden and Trump are debating for the first time in an election-weary US
The US presidential elections aren’t until November, but Joe Biden and Donald Trump will debate each other for the first time tonight ahead of those elections. There is not much to gain as the country is completely fed up with politics. So there isn’t widespread enthusiasm among Americans for sticking to television, says American correspondent John Postma.
Biden and Trump are debating for the first time in an election-weary US
At the same time, polls suggest that about 60 percent of Americans turn on the television. But Postma mainly hears election fatigue among residents of the United States. ‘Americans are also a bit surprised: why a debate now? Is it really necessary? People want to put this off as long as possible.’
Almost five months before Election Day, the initiative to organize a debate now came from Joe Biden. According to Postma, the current president is doing this precisely because Americans are not interested in elections and campaigns. Biden thinks: I’m a little behind in the polls, and that’s because people aren’t paying attention yet. The point is to make it clear how dangerous Trump is.’
Microphones off
CNN, host of the debate, made some changes to the format. Both Biden and Trump participated in the talks related to this. What’s particularly notable is that one’s microphone turns off when one speaks. The two can no longer interfere with each other. Additionally, there is no audience in the discussion.
“These two things should make the debate more substantial,” says Postma. ‘It’s all in Biden’s favor. As a result, Trump and his allies are now relentlessly attacking CNN, while Trump admits to this.
CNN also indicated that it did not want to fact-check Donald Trump’s statements in the debate. “Maybe it’s impossible, but if Joe Biden doesn’t let him interrupt, Trump can empty his mind of all kinds of lies and distortions,” says American Kenneth Manusama.
Old age and aging
Tonight’s themes are easy to guess, says Manusama. ‘From the Biden camp, it would be Democratic, but definitely pro-abortion. This time, Biden can’t help but defend his own policy. He said that what he did was right.
“After the debate Biden will go to another campaign event, which of course has a very clear message.”
At the same time, Trump will use the debate to portray Biden as a senile old man. It already dominates the campaign, Postma says. The Trump campaign released an ad this morning in which you see Biden fall off his bicycle. Meanwhile, Biden issued a press release today saying he will attend another campaign event after the debate. Of course, it also has a very clear message: “I could do with this discussion a little more.”‘
No winner
According to Manusama, this debate with two participants in their 80s will be very important if both of them can hold their own physically. ‘Do they mince their words or misunderstand them? Task number one is to communicate this well. They both have something going for them by portraying a good image: I can be president, I’m a coherent and rational human being.
Ultimately, Postma suspects that this first debate ahead of the US presidential elections will not produce a real winner. “Both sides are getting their own success through social media as well. Republicans will say Trump won, Democrats will say Biden won.
You can watch the debate today at 3pm Dutch time on CNN.
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