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LAST UPDATE | 27 Jun 2024
WILL THESE TWO old dogs have any new tricks? Or will we get a repeat of the chaotic debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden that US voters were treated to last time the two men faced off?
These are some of the questions that come to mind ahead of tonight’s televised debate in Atlanta, Georgia, between the Republican and Democratic candidates for the US Presidency
The two men are currently neck and neck in the polls on 46% each after Biden gained some ground following his State of the Union speech and Trump’s guilty verdict in a hush money trial in New York.
Tonight represents a chance for both candidates to win over undecided voters and take a lead in the run-up to November’s election.
While televised debates are nothing new in the United States – the first was aired in 1960 when Richard Nixon went head to head with John F. Kennedy – there are a few changes to normal proceedings this time around.
One talking point in the build-up to the first of two TV debates between Biden and Trump has not actually been about the stars of the show, but who’s running it – CNN.
The struggling US network has secured a media monopoly on tonight’s debate; ABC will host the next one on 10 September.
Footage of tonight’s debate will be shown live on other stations but emblazoned with the CNN logo.
This came about after Biden ruled out working with the Commission on Presidential Debates, an independent, nonprofit body that has overseen TV debates since 1987.
The networks televising the two debates specified two criteria that candidates have to meet in order to secure inclusion.
They need 15% support in four approved national opinion polls and must be on enough state ballots to win the 270 Electoral College votes required to take the White House in November.
Robert F Kennedy Jr., who is the third most popular candidate, has fallen short of those requirements but has also filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission challenging the set-up.
Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 15, 2024
Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again.
Well, make my day, pal. pic.twitter.com/AkPmvs2q4u
The change of hosts means a couple of things for tonight’s head-to-head on CNN.
First, unlike debates in previous years, there will be ad breaks.
Secondly, CNN has taken the decision to mute the candidates’ microphones while it is not their turn to speak, which could be bad news for the natural showman that is Donald Trump, especially since he spent much of the last debate with Biden interrupting him and flouting the rules.
Tonight’s moderators are CNN presenters Dana Bash and Jake Tapper and the network will be hoping to avoid getting into the hot water it found itself in the last time it aired a major presidential event.
CNN hosted a controversial, and some would say disastrous, ‘Town Hall’ with Donald Trump in May last year. It was an attempt on the part of the Democrat-friendly network to interrogate Trump’s policies and positions, but a largely partisan crowd and a lack of control from the moderator turned it into something more akin to a Trump campaign rally.
The fallout led to the sacking of CNN boss Chris Licht.
The new head of the network, former BBC director general and chief executive at the New York Times, Mark Thompson, will be hoping the new guardrails can keep things from going sideways tonight.
He actually pointed to the Nixon-Kennedy debate as inspiration when speaking to the New York Times this week, saying he wanted to revert to a more “classical” style.
While getting the exclusive rights to broadcast tonight’s debate is certainly a coup for CNN, there is still a chance it could backfire, especially since Trump is one of the network’s biggest critics, frequently accusing it of bias.
If the 2020 debates between Biden and Trump are anything to go by, we can expect the Republican nominee to attack the incumbent president on immigration and economic policies.
Biden on the other hand will likely go after Trump on abortion, his recent felony convictions and his repeated rejections of the result of the last presidential election.
When it comes to immigration, the border with Mexico has been the topic of choice for Trump but things have changed on that front. Biden recently signed an executive order and imposed stricter, more hostile policies along the southern border, mirroring Trump’s own plans.
Biden forced through the measures after reaching a stalemate in Congress caused by Republican obstruction, despite his Bill being almost an exact replica of what the GOP had originally wanted. Trump was responsible for telling Republicans to vote against it, saying that if it wasn’t “perfect”, it shouldn’t pass.
In terms of economic policies, Trump may also end up arguing with himself. He took the country in a more isolationist direction while in office, aiming particular ire at China.
But Biden has had a hostile relationship with China when it comes to trade and technology. He has sought to ban the social media app TikTok, for example. He has also been forthright in criticising China over its actions in Taiwan, and moved away from the long running “One China” policy towards one of “strategic ambiguity”.
All of this could mean that Trump’s attacks on trade policy fail to land. Then again, he does have a notoriously casual relationship with the truth and his was the administration that gave us the term “alternative facts”, so who knows.
Biden will certainly seek to make much of Trump’s recent convictions and try to cast him as a threat to democracy in light of the events of 6 January 2020 and his describing the last election as “rigged”.
Another issue on the minds of many American voters is access to abortion services.
One of Trump’s lasting successes from his time in office has been producing a Republican-heavy Supreme Court. Two years ago, the legal precedent that underpinned abortion rights in the US was overturned by the court and many states have since introduced bans.
This did not sit well even with some Republican voters and Biden will likely seek to exploit that fact.
Whether Biden is able to maintain his composure and avoid drawing attention to his advanced age will be another test for the President tonight.
At 81, he is just three years older than his Republican rival but recent incidents where Biden has appeared confused or has slurred his words have fuelled questions about whether he’s up to the task of running the country for another four years.
Tonight’s debate will put his mental faculties to the test and Trump will undoubtedly have something to say on the matter.
The 90-minute debate kicks off at 9pm EST tonight, which is 2am in Ireland.
Those willing to stay up late and watch the debate live can do so by tuning in to CNN on Sky Digital channel 506. Unfortunately, CNN’s livestreaming service is not available in Ireland.
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330+ million citizens and these are the best 2 America could come up with. ?.
@Raymond Dennehy: came straight to the comments for this. Like is there literally no one else who could join in debates so they could see what they’re missing out on. And knky have 2 parties is wild.
@Raymond Dennehy: I’m American and I agree 100% with this. I thought they were both terrible choices then and even worse now. I know how I’m voting in November but there are so many better candidates on both sides.
@Ray Dunne: Sounds like an English football Commentary getting the excuses ready before the match. Do ye think that ye might riot in the Donbas this time instead of D.C. All of Russia will flee to Siberia.
@Raymond Dennehy: America is full of lunatics. Always has been and always will be.
@Ray Dunne: grow the fk up, ye absolute child.
I love these nursing home debates.
@reg morrisey: No doubt both will be pumped up on top tier ‘Mr. Burns’ drugs.
Morto to be a Yank but comedy gold for the world
@Derek O Gorman: It’s better than the Superbowl lol.
@Louis Jacob: anything is better than that gick
@Derek O Gorman:I live in NY. Originally from Ireland. I used to think that way too.. Until 2020, I realized he was right the whole time. It was then I woke up.
@Seamus Balfe: Did you tho? Maybe it’s another ‘dream’ of being awake, like the one you were in before.
@Derek O Gorman: now our lot ISN’T great by Far least Trump gives a dam about America as our skum sold us out to Europe ffs
Will Biden fall over do you think?
@David O Brien: unlikely as he will not be cycling onto the stage
@David O Brien: more likely someone will need to hold Trumps hand if case there is any stairs to contend with
@David O Brien: He’s a president, not an athlete.
@Dave Harris: no, no. Lets be clear, this is not about ‘policy’ OR political difference, it’s soley about Trumps ego and how entertaining he can be on a stage, there is much more in common here with a sporting occasions or reality TV than say ‘trying to make society better’ or some such rubbi$h
@David O Brien: A lot of immigrants to the US will be hoping Trump has a major cardiological episode, particularly a lady from Slovenia.
@David O Brien:
With the wedges in Trump’s shoes it’s more likely we will see the leaning tower topple over.
@Stephen Brennan: Try harder
@David O Brien: It will be cardboard cut outs with superimposed mouth sync.
@Colm O’ Shea: or women near,,,
Will Biden manage to not poop his pants or trip over the scenery, these are the big questions?
@Jonn: in fairness there is only 4 years between both of them, it’s not as either of them are spring chickens!
@Colm O’ Shea:
That’s true,and it’s a sad reflection of America and it’s broken electoral system that these two are the choices,but nevertheless Biden is clearly a wreck, way past his sell by date,at least Trump can string a coherent sentence together without the aid of a teleprompter!
@Jonn: trump appears to have severe mental health issues. His fondling and assaults on women, fraud. The list goes on. Oh and I forgot to mention a wannabe dictator
@Jonn: Trump can string a coherent sentence together, i must be listening to a different person.
@johnabc:
Maybe try listening to Biden,on one of his increasingly rare public outings..he makes Trump sound like Martin Luther King at the top of his game!
@brian madden:
I’d have thought the term ‘dictator’ would apply more to the politician weaponising a hugely corrupt legal system, using dubious lawfare to hobble your opponent and keep them tied up in court rather than out campaigning? When are we going to see Biden in court for his families corrupt and very lucrative Ukrainian shenanigans?
@Jonn: trump is the one who’s proven to wear nappies to be fair.
@Jonn:
Which sentence was that ?
The world must have missed it.
@Mary.E.:
No, Mary,you just missed it,maybe if you widen your news sources beyond RTE,BBC and CNN you might have more luck.You could start by looking into how Hunter Biden,a man whose main area of expertise is hoovering exotic powders up his nose came to be a director of Burisma,a Ukrainian gas exploration company?
@Jonn:
Joe Biden is the President,not his son and has not been involved.
Trump has given millions upon millions of dollars to all of his family for jobs that dont exist.
His son in law colluded with Putin.
They are all as bad as the old man.
@Jonn: Well Trump is the one that wears nappies
@Jonn: Nah Jill got him pampers
@Jonn: What Trump Policies will you be voting for, assuming you are not a billionaire
@Jonn: Do you think God will forgive Trump for all the Commandments he has broken and will Joe pardon him in 2025. Closer to home, maybe SF should stop calling themselves Republicans.
@Jonn: I’d say. Trump is hoovering a lot more up his big Trumpet Hunter is not running for president so what does that matter. You don’t think Trumps oinky kids are angels do you.
The similarities between Trump and Hitler are striking, their gaining of and holding onto power at any rate.
@Bert Carolan: Except Hitler was 56 when he died.
@Thesaltyurchin: Strange similarity considering Trump never went to war unlike any other America president I can remember!
@Mr G Pickett: the point that Trump never went into war was not because he’s some great lover of peace. It was just a case of timing.
If there was a war that would either stroke his vinal ego or financially enrich himself or family
Politics is so polarised by the media and the candidates themselves. Reasoning is the the other side is gone and now 1/3 of Americans agree that violence is a solution to getting your political gains . Washington DC is modelled on Rome . It looks like the fall of the republic
Americans spend less on food as a percentage of consumer purchases than anyone else on Earth; they pay less for petrol than everyone but Indonesians, Russians, Chinese and Saudis for their gigantic, fuel-guzzling vehicles; inflation in the US peaked at 9% in 2022, while inflation in the euro area peaked at 10.6%; and violent crime in the US plummeted in the first months of 2024 – although Trump’s 34 felony convictions have surely sent the crime rate of ex-presidents to all-time highs. But as most of us know, trying to change someone’s perception with facts is a relatively pointless endeavour. What’s more worth talking about is that so many of the far right’s supporters claim to be “patriots”, while in reality hating almost everything about what their countries really are.
@Jack Hayes:
Is this the ‘you’ve never had it so good’ argument? Have you been inhaling petrol fumes,Jack? Maybe you should check out some of the jaw dropping evidence of US inner cities looking like something out of a zombie apocalypse scenario, with dead eyed lost souls shuffling past boarded up shops and restaurants. The country that spends billions financing proxy wars and genocides around the world is becoming a decrepit 3rd world dump on its own streets!
@Jonn: Trump is not going to fix it with his looper policies on stopping income taxes and bringing in100% tariffs on imported goods. Trump is so hard of thinking he cannot understand that tariffs are paid by American consumers. He thinks the other countries exporting to America pay them
@Jack Hayes: maybe you should come to America and have a look for yourself..
I think it’s funny how people from other countries use the term far right when describing somewhat conservative people. Yet the far left extremists have been shoving pronouns and trans down your throat all over the EU.. And then you celebrate it.. Lol. But France, UK, Argentina, Canada and the US are all starting to wake up. Maybe it’s time for you too?
@Jonn: *gasoline fumes.
@Seamus Balfe: No-one is shoving anything down your conservative throat. You people just spread hate, bile, and lies constantly. You take offence to the existence of people different to you from your skin colour to sexuality or gender. Your politics has nothing to offer the world but hate and bigotry. Right wingers have to use hate to spread their vile message yet have zero proposals to the everyday issues affecting their countries. Its always blame the immigrants, or minorities, or them over there.
Trump will make a fool of senile joe
@John D Doe: Wait….Trump is running against Biden?!!! I thought it was Obama. Trump thinks it is Obama in any case.
@John D Doe: that’s all he stands for. Belittling those he thinks are less worth than him .Trump just likes the sound of his own slur . He has no manners it’s all about him
@John D Doe: Certainly he will aim to bring it down to his level.
@John D Doe: Yes, razor sharp Don who couldn’t recognize a photo of his own wife.
The Don is 4-5 at best, though powers have him @ 8-13, the vegetable is out to almost 2-1 on betfair.
These debates are absolute bolox. Republicans will say Trump won. Dems will say Biden won, and everyome will vote the same way they intended to beforehand. They achieve nothing.
Mullingar court today, yet another woman damaged physically by a “man”, yet another suspended sentence. The wigs are SO totally removed from normal, everyday life. On and on it goes. Sad. They haven’t learned anything from the adventures of that great theorist, odonnell of Limerick.
Both too old for the job. Maybe the US should adopt the Roman Catholic Churches way of doing things!!! You can’t be elected unless you are under 70 years of age. What both parties need is new blood, preferably under 50 years of age. They should also have to pass physical and mental health screening.
The insane verse the inferm, trying to impress the ill-educated and illiterate. Let’s get ready to rumble!!!
@Louis Jacob: *verses *infirm. I know I know. Morto for me.
@Louis Jacob: *Versus. It’s early. Relax.
@honey badger: Lol. Just waiting for a machine to heat up here. “I’ll just go on the journal to kill some time” Always the wrong move in the morning.
I understand that Americans want to see how both men are able to perform in a debate, but there isn’t going to be much real substance discussed. Would have been better just to let both candidates lay out their cases during their speeches at their party’s national conventions. Biden looks frailer each year. Trump is increasingly making obvious mistakes and has clearly physically aged in the last two years, while showed marked mental decline (pick a public appearance by him at random for proof of this).
@Numinous20111:
Could Trump decline any more mentally than he has always been ?.
@Mary.E.:
Could your command of grammar decline anymore?
I know Biden is too old for the job but not Trump blow my own Trumpet. Big mouth sooner he’s charged the better
Stop the world and let me off , it keeps spinning around and around !!
@Quinny: Just treat it as entertainment and it becomes kind of fun.
How much Adderol and Ritalin can Sleepy Joe handle?
It’s a rigged game. Your leaders are selected not elected. You are not free, you were never free and you will never be free.
The illusion of choice is a powerful one. Too many bad actors in play and not enough of the good guys.
Rumour has it tha Biden will be duper glued to the podium to stop him wandering off to sniff children.
@Paul: Ha ha. That is actually funny.
It would make for great viewing if it degenerated into a wrestling match similar to the one between President Ronald Reagan and Konstantin Chernenko, then Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, in the 80s Frankie Goes To Hollywood video for “Two Tribes”…
@William Tallon: That was brilliant, they don’t make videos like that anymore.
Isn’t it great to see that two people from the asylum got jobs, two of Americans great imports
America is doomed.
It’s finished as a superpower.
Hard to believe it has come to this.
Poor Joe.
Standing up for two hours at his age is not easy.
Dark Brandon will make mincemeat of Trump!
@Mick Hanna:
That’s a lotta mince.
Great. I’ll be able to skip the sleeping tablets tonight, I’ll just tune in to the snore fest.
It’s going to be a stormy affair this one
The fiddler vs the diddler
What we know ahead of tonight’s debate is that neither of these guys be it due to age infirmity or just being a danger to society neither should have the chance to lead anything. Those days are long past them.
A choice between Animal and Vegetable!
Ah what can you do when two presidents need to be on oxygen to win. Ah well it happens
The clever students will sort it out.
bye bye sleepy joe
Why can’t they find a younger man or woman? The two of them would want to retire.
rather watch paint dry…
A Giant Douche Vs A Turd Sandwich.
Still though, Go Biden!
@David Guiney: Love that South Park episode so much
This will be history tonight like you have ever seen or unlikely or never see again crazy U.S.A.
have your say