Biden Arrives in Cleveland for First Presidential Debate

Joe Biden arrived in Cleveland, Ohio for the first presidential debate with President Donald Trump that looms as a milestone in an American election year like no other.

It’s a potential pivot point for a race that has remained stubbornly unchanged in the face of historic tumult. But with partisan feelings hardened over the most polarizing of presidents, comparatively few undecided voters remain.

That raises questions as to how, or if, Tuesday night’s debate might shape a race that has been defined by its bitterness and, at least so far, its stability.

Each side hoped the debate would energize its own base of supporters even as the candidates compete over the slim slice of undecided voters who could decide the election.

Biden will step onto the Cleveland stage holding leads in the polls – significant in national surveys, close in some battleground states – and looking to expand his support among suburban voters, women and seniors. Surveys show the president has lost significant ground among those groups since 2016, but Biden faces his own questions encouraged by Trump’s withering attacks.

Trump will have arguably his best chance to try to reframe the campaign as a choice between candidates and not a referendum over his handling of the virus that has killed more people in America than any other nation.

Americans, according to polling, have soured on his leadership in the crisis, and the president has struggled to land consistent attacks on Biden.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2TwO8Gm

QUICKTAKE ON SOCIAL:
Follow QuickTake on Twitter: twitter.com/quicktake
Like QuickTake on Facebook: facebook.com/quicktake
Follow QuickTake on Instagram: instagram.com/quicktake
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJ0oQZ
Email us at [email protected]

QuickTake by Bloomberg is a global news network delivering up-to-the-minute analysis on the biggest news, trends and ideas for a new generation of leaders.

source