By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer
President Joe Biden and the Republican contender, former President Donald Trump, are set to face off once again on June 27 at this year’s first presidential debate in Atlanta. This debate will be hosted by CNN and moderated by reporters Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.
Ahead of the debate, the AFRO spoke with several prospective voters to gauge whether people will be watching the televised event, what they’re expecting to hear and how they’re feeling about this rematch overall.
“’I will watch. I’m looking to hear Trump’s economic plan to reduce inflation, reduce federal taxes and regulations to spur business and development growth, as well as giving Americans back their own money for their own income and growth,” said Evie Harris of Baltimore. “I’m hoping to hear a plan to cease the war in Ukraine.”
A June poll by Quinnipiac University shows Trump has a slight lead in Georgia over Biden, 49% to 44%, ahead of the debate.
Leon Clifton Purnell of Baltimore talked about what he’s looking for from Biden in this first debate.
“I just hope Biden tells Trump to stop crying about his many charges being a witchhunt or a political tactic,” said Purnell. “He needs to tell him if he wasn’t a criminal this wouldn’t be possible.”
Michael Eugene Johnson of Baltimore said he will be looking for two things at Thursday’s debate.
“Fixing the level of education in many of our urban cities and attention to the housing crises in our cities,” said Johnson.
Though Johnson said he’s not happy about the Biden and Trump re-match this November, he still believes he must vote.
“I have not missed an election since 1975,” said Johnson. “ I must vote, then I can say something. If you don’t vote your voice is a sound with zero bass.”
Some voters said they already know who they will vote for in November.
“I am ecstatic that Trump is on the ballot and I will be proudly voting for Trump, a third time,” said Harris, who shares what is motivating her to vote for Trump once again.
“We have a country to save, from economic to social aspects and including foreign relations,” she said.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, Torreah Washington says she’s all in for Biden this fall.
“I’ll just watch , because I’m an American, but I’m absolutely voting for Joe Biden,” said Washington of South Carolina. “I think he’s done a lot of good for our country. I do know that he is quite old, as is his opponent, but I think that President Biden is smart enough to have a very good team of younger, smart people around him and I trust that Vice President Harris, if needed, could certainly step into the job as president.”
Though presidential debates have been orchestrated by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) since 1988, this year Biden said he will not agree to debate under the sponsorship of the CPD. Due to Biden and Trump agreeing to circumvent the CPD, the commission announced on June 24 that the four venues for the sponsored debates have been released from their contracts.
Virginia State University (VSU) was one of the locations dropped. VSU has not yet released a statement on the recent development but did comment on the suspected withdrawal in May.
“Virginia State University is disappointed to hear media reports suggesting that the U.S. presidential candidates may not participate in the scheduled October 1, 2024, debate at VSU. A presidential debate at VSU is a huge win, not only for our students and campus community but for the greater community in general,” wrote VSU in an official statement. “As the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) ever selected to host a general election U.S. Presidential debate, VSU recognizes the event’s significance and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the democratic process.”
Both candidates agreed to the rules of the CNN debate, which includes muted mics, no audience, two commercial breaks, no props and no pre-written notes.
Thursday’s debate will start at 9 p.m. The second debate is set for Sept. 10, hosted by ABC News.