Atlanta Presidential Debate: Biden and Trump Intensify Debate Preparations

New Details Released About the Much-Anticipated Event

With six days remaining before the highly anticipated presidential debate in Atlanta, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are adopting divergent strategies in preparation for the significant political event.

The Venue and Rules of the Debate

The two seasoned politicians will meet at a television studio in Atlanta with the debate scheduled for June 27. The debate will be held behind closed doors with no live audience present. When it comes to candidate turns, each speaker’s microphone will be switched off until it is their cue to talk. No props or prewritten notes will be allowed. The contestants will only have access to a pen, a notepad, and a bottle of water. CNN shared an announcement stating the Biden campaign’s choice to position themselves on the right side of the podium, leaving Trump to debate from the left.

A Momentous Presidential Debate

The CNN event will be replete with firsts while having significant implications for the course of the presidential race. It is unprecedented for two possible nominees to participate in a debate this early in the general election season. Furthermore, both the current and former President facing off at such advanced ages has raised questions about their readiness to guide the nation. The next scheduled debate will not be until September, making the pressure even more intense. Missteps in this early debate could cast long shadows on the rest of the campaign.

Biden and Trump’s Pre-Debate Tactics

Biden has retreated to Camp David, where he will work closely with senior campaign aides until the day of the debate. The President presented a thumbs-up sign to reporters in acknowledgment of his debate readiness during the journey to the retreat. The Trump team, on the other hand, views the upcoming face-off as a golden opportunity to showcase the contrast between Biden’s leadership skills and governing record. The former President plans to stay active in the coming days, curating a series of public appearances, including a rally in Philadelphia and keynoting a conservative conference in Washington.

Independent Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Failed to Qualify

According to the host network, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. failed to reach the necessary benchmarks for both state ballot qualification and polling and will therefore be absent from the debate. The candidate did not reach the required polling threshold of 15% in four reliable national polls and was unable to secure a place on the ballot in states with at least 270 votes, the minimum required to win the presidency. Kennedy’s campaign claimed that their candidate met the necessary requirements to appear on the ballot in 22 states, but these claims fell on deaf ears as the network stood by their decision.