Anticipation around the 2024 presidential debate between Biden and Trump

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — There is much anticipation surrounding Thursday’s 2024 presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

7 News senior reporter Eileen Buckley reached out to Jacob Neiheisel, a political science professor at the University at Buffalo, and some voters for information.

“What is at stake this evening for these two candidates? asked Buckley.

“There is “There’s almost nothing that can happen that can’t be turned in one direction or another by the respected camps, and so I think that probably matters more than the debate itself, which is the question of to what extent the respective campaigns are able to present what happened from their preferred angle,” Neiheisel responded.

WKBW

“I’m definitely a right-winger because I feel like patriotism in America has declined over the last 20 to 25 years,” said Thomas Matusak, a Trump supporter.

WKBW

Matusak makes part of his living selling Trump memorabilia. He owns The Trump Trailer. He sets up his trailer at the corner of River Road and Felton in North Tonawanda.

“I truly believe he loves his country,” Matusak commented.

WKBW

Matusak will be following the debate closely, saying he hopes to hear about specific topics.

“The economy, the inflation rate, immigration, you know, there have to be solutions to all of this,” Matusak said.

Matusak tells me there’s nothing Biden could say that would change his mind.

WKBW

“In my mind, it’s a disaster. Biden, I’m sorry,” Matusak mused.

Across the aisle is Biden supporter Tom Campbell, editor and publisher of the online union newspaper WNY Labor Today.

“People need to wake up and do their homework,” Campbell said.

WKBW

Campbell tells me that President Biden should be re-elected.

“Stability, not chaos, a great individual that you want to see on the world stage,” Campbell responded.

But with inflation high, many blamed Biden.

“You can’t blame Biden for gas prices, you can’t blame Biden for egg prices, it’s ridiculous,” Campbell commented.

WKBW

Democrats and Republicans remain polarized, and many independent voters are hesitant.

“How critical is this to the country?” Buckley asked.

“This is a crucial point for the country, the fact that there is a debate is a positive step. It is a little different, of course, it is not done under the auspices of the normal committee that does this kind of thing,” Neiheisel replied.

But Matusak says that even though Trump is sometimes aggressive and insensitive, he believes he cares about the nation.

“I truly believe he loves his country,” Matusak said.

Campbell said he feared Trump’s claims that he would be elected and become a “dictator.”

“If this other guy comes in, you’re talking about retaliation. You talk about being a dictator from day one, and let’s not forget the insurrection,” Campbell relayed.

You can watch the debate on 7 ABC, coverage begins at 8 p.m. and the debate begins at 9 p.m.