PHILADELPHIA — Teams Joe Biden and Donald Trump are counting on tonight’s first presidential debate to excite voters as the tight race for the top job begins to heat up.
Millions of people are expected to watch this rematch in Atlanta, where the current president and the former occupant of the Oval Office seek to highlight their respective policies, personal qualities and vision for the country.
But many people, like David Baldwin in Philadelphia, won’t listen to him. Mr. Baldwin says he knows Pennsylvania is a battleground state. It went to Trump in 2016 and went back to Biden in 2020 — both by narrow margins.
Nothing in the debate will change his vote for Biden, Mr. Baldwin said.
“The other guy only works for himself,” he said Thursday while walking down Market Street.
A debate that arouses little enthusiasm
The debate historically takes place at the start of a general election, and it’s unclear whether the exchange will pique the interest of Americans who aren’t already engaged, says Marc Trussler of the University of Pennsylvania.
“It’s very, very strange to have such an important campaign event so early in the cycle,” said Mr. Trussler, director of data science for the Opinion Research and Election Studies program. ‘university.
There seems to be less enthusiasm than in previous election years. There have been efforts from both parties in recent weeks, but it is not clear that these efforts will translate into votes.
Mr. Trussler reports that many people in Pennsylvania, as in much of the country, do not seem passionate about any of the candidates or what they are promising. He wonders if people will really pay attention to the debate and if it would reach unengaged voters.
Tolanda, who did not want to use her last name, said she likes Biden, but, more importantly, she doesn’t like Trump. However, she is not interested enough to watch the debate.
“I just don’t want Donald Trump to win, that’s all,” the 51-year-old Philadelphian said.
Many Americans view both presidential candidates as lackluster and are therefore simply less interested in running for the White House. Democrats and Republicans hope the debate will spark a spark.
Predictions
At the same time, both leaders will have to answer the question of whether they are fit for the job.
Mr. Trump will likely be called to account over his recent conviction on 34 counts in a trial for falsifying documents to buy the silence of pornographic actress Stormy Daniels.
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.
Mr. Trussler expects 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 hurt American families, Mr. Trussler said. The 45th president will also likely try to portray immigration to the United States as a source of societal woes.
Matthew Lebo, a specialist in American politics and chair of the political science department at Western University in London, Ontario, said he would be watching to see if either leader can deliver a compelling line that could be used in ads and on social media.
“President Biden probably practiced many of these in preparation for his debate,” believes Mr. Lebo.
Mr. Trump will likely try to unsettle his opponent by interrupting him, he added.
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.
