The Stakes Are High: CNN Presidential Debate to Reshape the Race to the White House

With just over two months until Election Day, the first of two debates between President Biden and former President Trump is set to have a major impact on the race. Experts weigh in on the potential outcomes and what to expect from both candidates.

In the highly anticipated CNN Presidential Debate on Thursday, June 29, 2024, incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in a rematch of the 2020 election. With polls indicating a tight race, the first debate of the 2024 election is expected to set the tone and narrative for the remaining months of the campaign.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the importance of the debate, stating that it will "frame the race." Political strategists like Matt Gorman believe that the debate has the potential to "change the narrative in a massive way" and "break out" from the current status quo.

The Stakes Are High: CNN Presidential Debate to Reshape the Race to the White House

The debate will follow a strict set of rules, with no studio audience, muted microphones except when answering questions, and no opening statements. Additionally, a coin flip determined that Trump will have the final word.

Both candidates come into the debate with their fair share of baggage. Biden has faced questions about his age and physical durability, while Trump carries the weight of criminal charges related to the January 6th Capitol insurrection. The biggest question surrounding the debate is which version of Trump will show up – the undisciplined candidate who interrupted his opponent in 2020 or the more measured and disciplined candidate seen in the second debate.

The Stakes Are High: CNN Presidential Debate to Reshape the Race to the White House

Experts advise Trump to remain calm and focus on outlining his vision for a second term, while Biden must avoid the incumbent trap and defend his record while framing the race as a choice between his leadership and Trump's.

Ahead of the debate, Biden has prepared at Camp David, while Trump has mixed debate prep with campaign rallies. Trump's team has attempted to undermine the debate's fairness, questioning the moderators and asking Biden to take a drug test.

The Stakes Are High: CNN Presidential Debate to Reshape the Race to the White House

Despite the pre-debate maneuvering, the CNN Presidential Debate is expected to have a significant impact on the race. The candidates' performances, the issues discussed, and the overall narrative shaped by the debate will play a crucial role in shaping the opinions of voters just over two months before Election Day.