Jun 27, 2024 03:48 pm EST
President Joe Biden and his Republican rival, donald Trumpwill face off Thursday for a debate that offers an unparalleled opportunity for both candidates to try to shape the political narrative.
The Democratic president has the opportunity to assure voters that at 81 years old he is capable of leading the United States. Meanwhile, Trump, 78, could seize the moment to put his guilty verdict in New York behind him and convince millions that he is temperamentally suited to return to the Oval Office.
Biden and Trump enter the debate with fierce headwinds. Polls show neither is liked by a majority of Americans and they offer sharply different views on virtually every core issue. Trump has promised sweeping plans to remake government if he returns to the White House and Biden argues that his opponent would threaten the nation’s democracy.
With just over four months to go until Election Day, their actions have the potential to alter the trajectory of the race. Every word and gesture will be scrutinized not only for what they say, but also for how they interact with each other and how they resist pressure.
