On January 28th, the frontrunners of the American presidential election will meet eye-to-eye at a debate hosted by CNN and moderated by Jake Tapper. The upcoming night will be consequential not only for American politics but for the whole world. At the current moment, as per the New York Times Poll Tracker, both candidates are neck-to-neck, each securing the confidence of 46% of respondents. Therefore, their overperformance is imperative—to secure a position that is greater than their rival.
Both candidates will need to effectively communicate their messages to two crucial electoral groups. Firstly, their core support base: they are the driving force behind the campaign, from social media campaigns to community groups to grassroots initiatives; they are the ones who participate in the election drive for their respective candidates; their enthusiasm is of utmost importance. The debate will serve as a platform for them to secure confidence in their party’s nominee before the convention. Secondly, independent voters: they have become the predominant factor in deciding the winner of recent elections, especially in a significantly polarized political environment. Independents are not confined to a certain side of the political divide; rather, they make their decisions based on the candidate and their platform; in most cases, they prefer stability and rationality. Both candidates will attempt to portray the other as lacking in these traits: Biden will emphasize that his opponent is a criminal and a pathological liar with a populist agenda, while Trump will highlight that Biden is old and that the working class has been deprived of economic success under “Bidenomics”. Additionally, both candidates will touch on cultural issues, with one being labelled as “woke” and the other as a misogynist. Most importantly, in the age of social media and short video clips, both candidates will aim to create moments that can go viral on platforms like TikTok, making their opponent an unforgettable meme.
Only time will reveal how both candidates will perform; this moment could be a make-or-break opportunity for both. For Biden, it could serve as a morale booster, creating momentum for the months ahead. And for Trump, it could either continue or further increase the vigor of his campaign.
