The Peach State has been the buzz of the political world ever since the 2020 election cemented its status as a swing state. But today, politicos are buzzing about Georgia for a different reason.
CNN Studios in Downtown Atlanta will play host to the first of two Presidential debates tonight at 9:00 pm. For 90 minutes President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face-off over a range of issues and give voters a glimpse into what their vision for the next four years will look like.
CNN will host and broadcast the debate, but is allowing news agencies to simulcast for both network and cable audiences. USA TODAY will livestream the debate as will CNN.
Campaigns always try to negotiate debate rules to their advantage, such as when Bill Clinton and President HW Bush used elevated stools to emphasize Ross Perot’s smaller stature. This year has seen significant changes from the norm including the candidate’s agreement to bypass the Commission on Presidential Debates and the decision to conduct debates without a studio audience.
Moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper hope to restore a level of trust form the public and avoid what they call the “hot mess” of 2020’s Presidential debates.Fewer than 12,000 votes separated the two candidates four years ago, and Georgia continues to be regarded as a swing state by both Democrat and Republican leadership.