Trump and Biden to debate in Atlanta

Unlike the 2020 debate in Cleveland, where a barrage of interruptions left former Fox News anchor Chris Wallace struggling to maintain control, there will be new rules — many of which were imposed by the team by Biden – for this year’s debate.

The Trump campaign agreed to the stipulations, which include microphones muted when the other person has a chance to speak, no studio audience, no props or pre-written notes and no opening statements, among other things .

Even though polls show that the majority of adults are not enthusiastic about either candidate, it appears the debate could generate broad interest.

According to an Associated Press/National Opinion Research Center poll, six in 10 people said they were “extremely” or “very” likely to follow the debate, whether by watching the entire debate, watching clips or by following the news on this subject.

“I think it’s extremely important,” said Victoria Perdomo, a 44-year-old stay-at-home mom and Trump supporter in Coral Springs, Florida. “It shows America what you’re going to see over the next four years.”

Absent from the debate Thursday is independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who will counter the program by answering debate questions live on his own website.

CNN deemed Kennedy ineligible after failing to meet qualifying criteria in polls and ballots.

What to watch for

With rules and technologies in place to avoid outbursts, interruptions and other distractions, attention could be increased on the messages delivered by Biden, 81, and Trump, 78.

The seemingly low bar for Biden’s success was created, at least in part, by Trump and his Republican allies, who have relentlessly mocked the Democratic president for his apparent age-related stumbles for years. Trump allies question whether Biden can even stay awake and standing for 90 minutes — even though Trump has had his own mistakes in his speeches at rallies. Trump defended himself Saturday over a moment during the Republican primary when he apparently confused former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He told the crowd Saturday that liberals had misinterpreted what he called a moment of “pure genius.”

Democrats are hoping Biden can bring the same energy as he did in his State of the Union address earlier in the year. But a live TV showdown against an opponent who enjoys a verbal sparring match is very different from a scripted speech to Congress.

Biden’s team knows he can’t afford to have a bad night in front of the nation.

Trump, who already has a solid base of voters, will have the opportunity to win over undecided and moderate voters. After being widely criticized for his attempts to disrupt and overwhelm Biden during their first debate of 2020, it remains to be seen whether or not he can keep his cool on Thursday.

Trump immunity decision looms

Even though the debate in Atlanta will feature the same candidates who faced off in Cleveland and then Nashville, a lot has changed since 2020.

President Trump has since been convicted on 34 counts in connection with the secret trial of Stormy Daniels, and is now awaiting a ruling from the Supreme Court on his claims of immunity from prosecution.

The former president’s legal troubles are expected to be a topic of discussion, and if the court’s ruling comes before the debate, it could significantly change the talking points on both sides.

“If there’s a decision before then, whoever’s in favor of that decision is going to want to draw attention to it,” Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute at Syracuse University, told The Hill. “I would certainly expect that to be brought into the conversation or even for the moderators to ask a question about it.”

If the court does not announce an opinion Thursday, it could be announced on the day of the week’s final opinion, Friday.

And after?

A second debate between Trump and Biden is already scheduled for September 10 and will be hosted by ABC.

Rumors have swirled for months about Trump’s next choice of running mates, a decision he could make before — or during — the Republican National Convention in July.

The vice-presidential debate between Kamala Harris and her as-yet-unnamed Republican opponent is expected to take place either July 23 or August 13, or after both parties’ conventions, according to The Hill.

Another important date for Trump is July 11, when he will appear for sentencing after a jury found him guilty of dozens of counts of falsifying business records.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.