With election season coming in quickly, tonight marks the start of debates for the 2024 presidential election.
Hosted by CNN, the first debate between sitting President Joe Biden and Republican candidate Donald Trump will be moderated by anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash in their Atlanta studio.
Viewers can watch on the channel and online streaming platforms such as USA Today’s YouTube channel and PBS. The show, which will last up to 90 minutes, will also be available to watch on CBS News.
CNN demonstrates how they will mute the microphones at tonight’s Presidential Debate. (Video: CNN) pic.twitter.com/2a38Dp6Twk
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) June 27, 2024
The debate tonight marks the first to be held under newly implemented circumstances. In an effort to deal with crosstalk, it will be held in front of no audience to jeer and microphones will be muted when the candidate is not allowed to speak.
A variety of key issues will be discussed, although CNN hasn’t shared any of these topics as of now. Per CNN’s speculations, women’s rights, democracy as a whole, the economy, inflation and immigration are expected to be topics of discussion as both candidates go up against each other.
One of the expected talking points Biden could make would also be his work to bring down coverage costs for health insurance such as having Medicaid negotiate with drug manufacturers to lower prices.
Although the reasons are unclear, the debate is being held earlier than normal, giving voters an earlier look into the beginnings of election season.
“I think it makes the debate more important, because it’ll set the tone for the rest of the campaign. For Biden, who is desperate to make this a choice, not a referendum, it frames the race early on in a way that his campaign wants to frame it,” said strategist Alex Contant per ABC News. “And I think Trump is looking for a knockout punch.”
The viewership for tonight’s debate is expected to pull in big numbers with most adults expected to tune in. Per a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, nearly 6 in 10 U.S. adults will be “extremely” or “very likely” to watch the first presidential debate or listen to commentary in response to it.
In the same research study, nearly 47% of the participants said that they viewed the debate as being vital for the success of both candidates’ campaigns. Of those involved in the poll, AP-NORC also reported that neither candidate was “viewed favorably.”
The next debate is said to be scheduled for Sept. 10 and is expected to be hosted by ABC.
