MONTGOMERY, Alabama (WIAT) — All eyes will be on the debate stage as President Joe Biden and Donald Trump prepare to discuss their approaches to national issues.
The former president and the current president will debate Thursday night in Atlanta. There will be no public, and both candidates agreed to put the microphones on mute so they can speak only when it is their turn.
“We’re really looking at both sides starting their general election campaigns tomorrow night,” said John Wahl, chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. “This is going to be a critical moment for the Trump campaign, but I think especially for the Biden campaign.”
“From my experience as an elected official (I’m a former city councilman), the debates don’t change many opinions,” said Randy Kelley, chairman of the Democratic Party. “Even if they lose, the people who are there for you will still be there for you.”
Leaders of both parties in Alabama feel confident about their candidate’s preparations.
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“Donald Trump is going to bring up those issues,” Wahl said. “He’s going to talk about these issues and he’s really going to hold Joe Biden accountable for his last four years.”
“I think Biden has an opportunity to tell his story,” Kelley said. “I think she hasn’t done a good job telling the public what she’s done.”
When it comes to raising those issues, both leaders differ on what matters most to voters and their candidates.
“Number one is the economy,” Wahl said. “People are struggling to put food on the table. “They need relief, they need to have a president who can help improve the economy, lower the cost of living and make things more affordable.”
“Well, I think the main thing is to protect healthcare. He has talked about raising a living wage, the man is pro-union. Many people have risen to the middle class simply because of unions,” Kelley said.
According to KeynoteUSA, candidates will only be given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water. There will be no pre-written notes.
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