Joe Biden and Donald Trump are gearing up for the pivotal moment in the US election as they prepare for the first of two high-stakes debates.
This highly anticipated showdown, taking place on Thursday, will undoubtedly intensify the already heated campaigning, with both candidates recently escalating their personal attacks.
In an interview with right-wing network Newsmax, Trump expressed his confidence, stating that he has been preparing for this moment his entire life and expects to perform exceptionally well. As the 2024 election draws near, Trump currently holds a slight polling advantage in the crucial swing states. These states will play a significant role in determining the outcome of the election, which is expected to be decided by a narrow margin of a few hundred thousand votes across a handful of battlegrounds.
As both rivals take the stage in Atlanta for a 90-minute clash hosted by CNN, their primary goal is to alleviate concerns regarding their respective political liabilities. Biden, at 81 years old, faces more scrutiny regarding his mental sharpness, with voters often raising questions about his age. In contrast, Trump, who is only three years younger, has also faced criticism for his occasional rambling and peculiar campaign speeches.
Trump is not without his own controversies, as he is embroiled in legal cases and faces criticism for his inflammatory rhetoric. There are also concerns that he may misuse the power of the presidency to settle personal scores. On the other hand, Biden has spent the week preparing for the debate at Camp David, engaging in mock debates to refine his skills.
While Biden and Trump approach the debate differently in terms of preparation, both candidates are aware of the significance of this moment. They aim to address any doubts and reassure the American people about their capabilities to lead the nation effectively.
Aides have advised him to concentrate on his perceived strengths in the areas of the economy and crime, while Biden will attempt to portray Trump as mentally unstable and unfit for the presidency.
The Biden campaign has released an advertisement stating that Trump is more concerned with seeking “revenge” rather than assisting voters, and the Democratic National Committee has erected billboards in Atlanta reminding voters that the Republican candidate is a convicted felon.
“By the time November arrives, Georgians will go to the polls with the memory that President Biden looks out for their interests, while white-collar criminal Donald Trump will only look out for himself,” stated DNC spokesperson Jackie Bush.
“Are you prepared for this?”
The Trump campaign has consistently portrayed Biden as weak and inept, but has recently changed its approach after being cautioned that setting low expectations for the Democratic candidate would only benefit him.
“We are aware that Joe Biden, after taking an entire week off, will be prepared for this,” stated senior Trump campaign advisor Jason Miller to reporters.
Supported by right-wing media personalities, Trump and his team have been promoting the unfounded theory that Biden will be under the influence of performance-enhancing drugs.
The former president and his associates have also been accused of attempting to influence the outcome by repeatedly insinuating bias on the part of CNN.
Miller stated that Trump would emerge as the obvious choice if he is “allowed” to present his vision for America “without the blatant interference of CNN or the two debate moderators” – the first-ever debate between two candidates who have previously served in the Oval Office.
One of Biden’s greatest vulnerabilities is border security, with Trump pledging to address the influx of undocumented migrants from Mexico through mass deportations and frequently highlighting crimes committed by migrants.
According to reports from US media, Trump is expected to invite family members of victims of violence committed by migrants to Atlanta, although the debate itself will not have an audience.
The Biden administration made an announcement on Wednesday, stating that the implementation of new restrictions has resulted in a significant decrease in illegal migrant crossings, reaching the lowest levels seen in over three years. This development undermines the use of immigration as a means to criticize the administration.
