Before the presidential debate, the parties take advantage of the Atlanta context

The salon owner was just one of several Atlanta businesses and residents this week called to campaign events to show support for one of the candidates. The next day, seven miles away in Buckhead, a similar scene unfolded, but this time to win over Trump voters.

Dozens of television crews trained their cameras on a panel of speakers gathered at the store to discuss the former president’s investments in black businesses. On the phone at the event, Trump boasted that he had cut taxes and regulations that held back businesses more than any other presidential administration.

Regardless of The candidate is declared the winner of Thursday’s debate, Political experts say Atlanta is the real winner, as throngs of national media, campaign staff and political junkies rush to the city to have a front-row seat to an event in the national spotlight.

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the The political circus engulfing Atlanta is likely to provide a significant economic boost to the city as restaurants book up for events, hotels fill with guests and high-profile politicians land at the international airport Hartsfield-Jackson.

“There are the campaigns that come here and spend so much money — all these debate nights, these restaurants, event centers, hair salons,” he said. “They are all going to capitalize on this attentive audience for, what I believe, will be this historically followed debate.”

Credit: Jason Getz / [email protected]

Credit: Jason Getz / [email protected]

The outcome of the presidential race in the Peach State could easily come down to a slim vote margin — fewer than 12,000 separated Biden and Trump in the 2020 election.

An AJC poll released Tuesday shows Trump leading Biden 43% to 38%, just outside the 3.1-point margin of error. A surprising 8% are still undecided, even though both candidates are well known to voters.

That’s why both parties are calling for reinforcements to host networking events, rallies, watch parties and post-debate conversations that will unpack the 90-minute event. There’s good reason to step up outreach and meet face-to-face with swing-state voters who could make the difference in deciding who leads the country for the next four years.

Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a Republican, said Tuesday on the Politically Georgia podcast that there should be high expectations for both candidates.

“I think this is an opportunity for us to take a look into each of their souls, beyond the rhetoric and noise of the campaign,” he said.

“America is watching – this is going to be a cage match,” Duncan said.

Credit: Riley Bunch/[email protected]

Credit: Riley Bunch/[email protected]

The back-to-back debate launched by CNN — a network that has never held a presidential debate for a general election — will be held at the WarnerMedia campus on Techwood Drive. Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion will host national and local media covering the event.

According to senior CNN officials, nearly 800 members of the press, from across the country and around the world, are accredited to cover the debate.

For two days before the debate, hundreds of journalists gathered in the indoor arena to collect their press passes, take selfies and stand to watch the first live footage before the event.

According to a survey released Wednesday by The Associated Press, 60% of U.S. adults say they are “extremely” or “very” likely to go online.

Atlantans braving the city’s roads Thursday will likely see Biden and Trump supporters lining caravan routes on sidewalks and overpasses to cheer on their candidates as they head from the tarmac to Midtown.

“Let’s warmly welcome President Trump to Georgia!” » leaflets to recruit an enthusiastic crowd for the Republican readings.

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

In addition to the debate, the Copa America soccer match between the U.S. men’s team and Panama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is expected to add to the traffic headache on Thursday.

The mix of sports and politics highlights what elected officials consider Atlanta’s best trait: a major event host city. And although the city didn’t land this year’s Democratic National Convention, Dickens, a top Biden surrogate, is seizing the opportunity to rally the party’s base.

The first-term mayor has a busy schedule this week, including campaign news conferences, an appearance on CNN and a place in line to greet Biden as he travels to the reserve base aerial from Dobbins Thursday. After the debate, the mayor will play a “quick response” role by echoing Biden’s main talking points.

Johnson said the framework gives candidates an opportunity to address local issues, like infrastructure after Atlanta’s recent water crisis.

Credit: (Miguel Martinez / [email protected])

Credit: (Miguel Martinez / [email protected])

Both Democrats and Republicans are holding events targeting Black voters who political experts say are largely aligned with Democrats but could hurt Biden if they choose to remain on the sidelines during the election.

On Wednesday, at Rocky’s Barbershop, top Trump surrogates made their case to black voters in Atlanta.

“This is all about Black excellence and it’s not limited to one party,” said Florida Congressman Byron Donalds. “Excellence for Black people is for everyone. »

Later in the day, Donalds and Texas Congressman Wesley Hunt were scheduled to join former ESPN sportscaster Sage Steele at the Studio Cigar Lounge in Fairburn, where attendees will sip brandy and smoke cigars .

Similarly, the New Georgia Project and the NAACP are hosting a debate watch party at Prime Cigar Bar, calling the event on social media “political engagement by black men, for black men.”

And in Georgia, where state Republicans have consistently chosen not to expand access to health care through Medicaid, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock on Thursday will join Atlanta residents who are struggling to afford medications like insulin – a key talking point for the congressman and the Biden administration.

But Johnson, who previously served as a senior adviser to the Biden-Harris campaign, said that in this election, candidates seeking to curry favor with voters who might be on the defensive face an unusual challenge: recognizing their name.

“These are the same two individuals that most Americans already know quite well,” he said. “The way the race will be won is in key states like Georgia, where you can reach independent and moderate voters – voters who are educated and in tune with what’s going on.”