How an AJC reporter experienced his day of debate in Atlanta

Amid scorching heat around 3 p.m. Thursday, Biden stepped off Air Force One to greet former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young, who was waiting for him. in his wheelchair for the president. Biden moved along the line of 11 dignitaries, chatting with each person.

He shook hands with former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms — recently appointed senior advisor to the Biden-Harris campaign and spent a few minutes chatting with former state Sen. Jason Carter, whose grandfather, President Jimmy Carter, entered hospice care 16 months ago and is preparing to celebrate his 100th birthday this fall.

Stacey Abrams, a two-time gubernatorial candidate, later said she had spoken with Biden about “how we’re going to make sure we succeed again” in Georgia.

(An AJC reporter was on hand to witness Trump’s arrival at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, but the press was not granted the same level of access during his time in Atlanta.)

On his way down I-75, Biden Crowds of people gathered near Dobbins Air Reserve Basesome holding signs for him and others for his opponent. Then, just before reaching the Hyatt Regency hotel in Atlanta, his motorcade stopped and He went out to chat with several dozen enthusiastic supporters gathered in the street.

In the background, chants of protesters against Biden’s handling of the war between Israel and Hamas could be heard, but they were drowned out by his fans’ shouts of “I believe Joe will win” and other rallying cries.

As the president’s motorcade headed toward CNN’s studios, he encountered traffic that any Atlanta driver would envy: a completely cleared highway. Along the way, supporters lined the streets of Midtown, jumping up and down in hopes of getting his attention.

The reporters following him were ushered from vans to a dimly lit space in the basement of the CNN building where Trump and Biden, a few floors up, were debating. Aside from a few reporters eating snacks and typing on their laptops, the room was silent as two modestly sized televisions broadcast the debate.

There was no in-person audience and no reporters were allowed to see the candidates on stage, except for CNN moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper. A roving White House reporter was allowed in during a 60-second commercial break.

In the gray-walled room lined with photos of CNN journalists, some began to look away to convey an unspoken message. about what was happening. Moments after the final statements, journalists were rounded up and thrown back into vans.

After the debate, the mood around Biden turned.

As the gravity of his poor performance grew, some of his supporters looked for a glimmer of hope. On the streets and near press vans, some could be heard comparing Biden’s struggles to Obama’s lackluster debate and pointing out that the election was still four months away.

The press corps returned to the Hyatt as Biden attended an after-party. Local Democrats appeared visibly concerned but offered only positive, forward-looking comments. Meanwhile, music blared from the speakers in the gathering space, as if to soothe any remaining concerns. Some even danced to Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ’Em.”

When Biden and First Lady Jill Biden took the stageThe Democrats put on a brave face. Guests stopped their chatter and rushed to the stage to cheer, some chanting “four more years.”

Holding a microphone, Jill Biden looked at the president and told the audience: “Joe, you did a tremendous job. You answered all the questions. You had all the facts. And let me ask the crowd: What did Trump do? He lied.”

There, Joe Biden showed a little more pep than he did in the debate, encouraging some desperate staffers who lingered.

“Listen, we’re going to beat this guy, and I need you to beat him,” Biden shouted to the crowd. “You’re the reason America is as good as we are.”