ATLANTA: Joe Biden and Donald Trump faced off Thursday night in a crucial US presidential debate at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, marking a pivotal moment in their high-stakes battle for the White House.
The debate, one of only two this election cycle, carries enormous significance as national polls show a tight race, with both candidates vying for the support of undecided voters.
Millions of Americans tuned in to watch the highly anticipated clash, which signals the start of what promises to be a contentious summer of campaigning in a deeply polarized country still reeling from the chaos and violence of the 2020 election.
For Trump, who has a reputation as a political brawler, the challenge was to temper the aggressive tactics that backfired in their first debate four years ago. For the 81-year-old Biden, the goal was to avoid any major missteps that could exacerbate concerns about his age and to emphasize his message that Trump poses a fundamental threat to US democracy.
Both candidates have had their share of controversies and liabilities. Trump, now a convicted felon, faces scrutiny over his inflammatory rhetoric and recent conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Biden, on the other hand, is under pressure to demonstrate mental acuity, with concerns about his age frequently raised by voters.
To avoid a repeat of the shouting matches that characterized their previous encounter, the debate featured a series of rules designed to maintain order. There was no studio audience, and microphones were cut off when a candidate’s speaking time was over.
In the lead-up to the debate, both campaigns released new attack ads. Trump’s team aired TV spots accusing Biden of economic mismanagement and encouraging illegal immigration. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party paid for five billboards in Atlanta mocking Trump’s legal issues. One billboard read, “Donald, welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon. Congrats – or whatever…”
Trump holds a slight edge in key swing states, but overall polling remains extremely close. The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows Trump leading Biden nationally, 49 percent to 45 percent.
The 90-minute debate provided both candidates with an opportunity to address their weaknesses. Biden focused on honing his attack lines during mock debates at Camp David, while Trump prepared through informal policy roundtables and rally interactions. Aides encouraged Trump to emphasize his perceived strengths on the economy and crime, while Biden aimed to portray Trump as unfit for office.
One of Biden’s biggest vulnerabilities is border security, with Trump promising to combat an influx of undocumented migrants from Mexico with mass deportations and repeatedly bringing up killings by migrants.
