Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican candidate Donald Trump are preparing to face off Thursday night in their first presidential debate of the campaign as the tight race to lead the United States begins to heat up.
The current president and the former occupant of the Oval Office will seek to highlight their respective policies, personal qualities and vision for the country.
The Atlanta contest historically comes early in the race and it’s unclear whether the debate will pique the interest of Americans who aren’t already interested, according to Marc Trussler of the University of Pennsylvania.
“It’s very, very strange to have such a major campaign event so early in the cycle,” remarked Mr. Trussler, who is director of data science for the Opinion Research and Studies program. university elections.
Millions of people are expected to view the debate, which is important for both sides in an election that could be decided by a fraction of voters in a handful of swing states, including Pennsylvania.
Mr. Trump held a rally in Philadelphia last weekend, and the Republican campaign earlier this month opened a new office in the city of Reading, a part of the state with a large Latino population. Mr. Biden’s re-election campaign is also investing funds in Pennsylvania, stationing more than 100 aides across the state.
Little enthusiasm this year
But Marc Trussler is not sure that these efforts will translate into votes. Many voters in Pennsylvania, as in much of the country, seem invigorated by neither the candidates nor what they are proposing.
There appears to be less enthusiasm and fewer debate parties in the state than in previous election years, Trussler said. Pennsylvania went for Donald Trump in 2016 and went to Joe Biden in 2020 — both by narrow margins.
This time around, there are significant differences in levels of support for MM. Biden and Trump among people who are not very engaged in politics, Mr. Trussler argued. Many Americans view both presidential candidates as lackluster and are therefore simply less interested in the campaigns.
Democrats and Republicans hope the debate will spark a spark.
At the same time, both leaders will have to answer the question of whether they are fit to do the job.
Mr. Trump will likely be called to account for his recent 34-count conviction in a trial over secret payments. He also faces serious charges in three other ongoing lawsuits.
Mr. Biden, 81, could face criticism over his age and energy level, even though Mr. Trump, 78, regularly makes his share of confusing verbal errors.
Marc Trussler expects Joe Biden to try to demonstrate the strength of the economic recovery during his term, especially compared to the performance of other countries.
Mr. Trump, for his part, will emphasize how inflation continues to harm American families, according to the specialist. Donald Trump will likely attempt to present immigration to the United States as a source of societal unhappiness.
“The most important thing I’m looking for is whether people will pay attention to this debate. Is it going to change (things)? In particular, how do less-engaged voters view this race?” Trussler said.
Interest in Canada
Many Canadians will also be listening and staying alert for any political promises that could affect relations with their largest trading partner.
Whoever wins the election will be in power during the looming review of the continental trade deal in 2026. In preparation, the Liberal government’s Team Canada has been hitting the streets south of the border to strengthen ties with the Trump and Biden.
Mr. Trussler, who is Canadian, believes that Canadians are simply hoping for a little calm from their neighbor.
“The United States is the elephant that lives next to Canada and I think Canadians want to see stability there,” he concluded.
Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
