Biden, Trump square off for a podium rematch, signalling start of presidential battle

PHILADELPHIA — People across the United States were watching as Joe Biden and Donald Trump squared off for the first presidential debate in a bid to invigorate would-be voters as the tight race for leadership of the country begins to ramp up.

Millions were expected to watch the matchup in Atlanta where the current president and the one-time occupant of the Oval Office exchanged barbs over their legacies and provided some insight into how they see the future.

A local eatery in South Philadelphia was filled with Biden supporters for a debate watch party organized by Democrats. Pennsylvania is a battleground state. It went to Trump in 2016 and swung back to Biden in 2020 — both by a narrow margin.

There were gasps and exclamations of concern in the room of Democratic supporters when Biden lost his train of thought while trying to make a point about tax rates and the number of billionaires in America.

“He’s got fight in him,” one person said later in the debate as Biden spoke about foreign policy.

Trump pushed forward arguments about immigration and crime, which have been key taking points for the former president.

Earlier in the night at a watch party in Northeast Philadelphia organized in support of Trump, Aaron Bashir, who is running for Congress under the Republican banner, said that’s what he wanted to hear from the former president.

Bashir said safety is a major concern, along the southern border and in Pennsylvania neighbourhoods.

The debate is taking place historically early in the timeline of a general election and it’s uncertain whether the exchange will spur interest from Americans who aren’t already engaged, said the University of Pennsylvania’s Marc Trussler.

“It’s very, very strange to have such a big campaign event this early into the cycle,” said Trussler, director of data science for the university’s program on opinion research and election studies.

There appeared to be less excitement and fewer debate watch parties in the state than in previous election years, Trussler said. There’s been a push by both parties in recent weeks but it’s unclear whether the efforts will turn into votes.

Trussler said many in Pennsylvania, like much of the country, don’t seem invigorated by either candidate or what they’re selling.

Many people, like David Baldwin in Philadelphia, decided to tune out. He said nothing in the debate will change his vote for Biden.

“The other guy is for himself,” he said walking down Market Street earlier on Thursday.

Tolanda, who didn’t want to use her last name, said she likes Biden but, more important, she dislikes Trump. However, she was not interested enough to watch the debate.

“I just don’t want Donald Trump to win, that’s all,” the 51-year-old Philadelphian said.

Many Americans see both presidential contenders as lacklustre and therefore are simply less interested in the contest. Democrats and Republicans are hoping the debate will light a spark.

At the same time, both leaders were forced to fend off questions about whether they are fit to do the job.

Trump was called out for his recent conviction on 34 felony counts in a hush-money trial, with serious charges in three other indictments pending.

Concerns over 81-year-old Biden’s age and energy level have also persisted and supporters in Philadelphia showed some concern over his rambling throughout the debate.

Trump, 78, also made verbal miscues during the debate, including inaccurately referring to abortions “after birth.”

Matthew Lebo, a specialist in U.S. politics and chair of the political science department at Western University in London, Ont., said we was watching to see if either leader is able to deliver a compelling soundbite that can be an used in commercials and on social media.

“President Biden has likely been practising many of them in his debate prep,” Lebo said.

Trussler said he is looking to see if people are even paying attention to the debate and whether it connects with low-engagement voters.

Many Canadians will also be tuning in and keeping an ear on any policy promises that might affect the relationship with their largest trading partner.

Whoever wins the election will be in power during the looming review of the continental trade pact in 2026. In preparation, the Liberal government’s Team Canada has been pounding the pavement south of the border to bolster connections with both the Trump and Biden camps.

Trussler, who is Canadian, said he thinks people in Canada are just hoping for a bit of calm from their neighbour.

“United States is the elephant that lives next door to Canada and I think Canadians want to see there to be stability.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2024.

— With files from The Associated Press

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press