Ahead of the CNN Debate, Trump vs. Biden on the Issues – The New York Times
For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio, a new iOS app available for news subscribers.
Caitlin O’Keefe, Anna Foley and
We don’t know exactly what will happen when President Biden and former president Donald J. Trump take the debate stage in Atlanta tonight.
We do know, however, that the first debate between the major party candidates is happening earlier in the election season than usual. And we also know that we’ve seen a version of this show before.
Their past matchups have featured bitter insults, constant interruptions and were political spectacles judged more on optics than on substance.
This year, considering that the candidates are offering radically different visions for the country, it’s hard to imagine an election in which the substance would matter more.
So, today, at least on “The Run-Up,” there’s no buzzer, no microphone muting and no debate-stage theatrics.
Instead, we call four Times colleagues to talk about what the candidates are actually promising for a second term on four key issues: the economy, immigration, abortion and foreign policy.
Jim Tankersley, a reporter covering economic and tax policy.
Zolan Kanno-Youngs, a White House correspondent.
Lisa Lerer, a national political correspondent.
David E. Sanger, a White House and national security correspondent.
“The Run-Up” is your guide to understanding the 2024 election. Through on-the-ground reporting and conversations with colleagues from The Times, newsmakers and voters across the country, our host, Astead W. Herndon, takes us beyond the horse race to explore how we came to this moment in American politics. New episodes on Thursdays.
“The Run-Up” is hosted by Astead W. Herndon and produced by Elisa Gutierrez, Caitlin O’Keefe and Anna Foley. The show is edited by Rachel Dry and Lisa Tobin. Engineering by Sophia Lanman and original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Pat McCusker, Sophia Lanman,Diane Wong and Elisheba Ittoop. Fact-checking by Caitlin Love.
Special thanks to Paula Szuchman, Sam Dolnick, Larissa Anderson, David Halbfinger, Mahima Chablani, Jeffrey Miranda and Maddy Masiello.
Astead W. Herndon is a national politics reporter and the host of the politics podcast “The Run-Up.” More about Astead W. Herndon
Advertisement