The first presidential debate of the 2024 cycle is less than two weeks away, and both campaigns are racing to prepare for the first showdown sponsored directly by a television network in more than a generation.
The 90-minute contest in Atlanta on June 27 is circled as one of the most consequential moments on this year’s campaign calendar, as Biden and Trump will outline their sharply contrasting visions for the nation, appearing together for the first time since their last debate, in October 2020.
Trump and Biden plainly do not like each other. The former president calls the current president the worst in American history. The current president calls his predecessor a wannabe dictator who threatens democracy itself.
Four years ago, in their first encounter, Trump trampled over his rival’s talking time — the former president has since admitted privately that he was too aggressive — with Biden scolding him, “Will you shut up, man?”
The rules circulated by CNN warn that this time, “moderators will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion.”
And then there is this: “Microphones will be muted throughout the debate except for the candidate designated to speak.” It is not clear how muted microphones will work in practice — whether the types of memorable moments (Al Gore’s sighs or Barack Obama’s “you’re likable enough” aside to Hillary Clinton) that have defined past debates will be lost entirely.
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@EnragedDeerForward2yrs2Y
I'm really looking forward to see how this works out. Might set the precedent for all future political debates. For the last few years there have been no debates. Only shouting and insult contests. I miss the days of Nixon, Carter and Reagan. They actually debated.
@ThirdPartyWillDemocrat2yrs2Y
I miss civility, but Fe!on forty five NEVER takes the high road. Nor do his obedient victims.
@FerretPenelopeSocialist2yrs2Y
Muted mics while another speaking is one thing - great.
They need to mute mics when time is up (doesn't sound like that's happening, they're just getting red lights). Fine if they allow a sentence to finish, not fine if they're allowed to keep rambling on and on.
They also need to not show the other candidate while the other is speaking. No one wants to see the eyerolling, laughter, and attempted interjections. It adds nothing useful.
I would have liked the 2 candidates in separate rooms. It avoids the other speaker being interrupted by the other, regardless of whether we can hear that on mic. Also avoids situations like trump's leer at Clinton during their debate, or the risk of spreading COVID or any other airborne illness.
Just the policy please.
@CapitolSophieVeteran2yrs2Y
We don't need hostility. We just want to hear policy plans for both safety and growth for our country. We want to be able to look at specifics and make a wise choice, knowing that what is proposed may not get through Congress without changes.
If muted mikes are what it takes to allow each speaker to complete their presentations, so be it.
I watched the 2016 and 2020 debates. I think these 2024 adaptations like the strict time limits, and cutting off the mics, and having a physical separation between the candidates are going to be important if we’re going to hear what both candidates have to say when they say it without having to rely on replays and commentator interpretations. I’m ok with it.
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
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