At three in the morning on Friday, it’s ready for ninety minutes man against man at CNN in Atlanta, Georgia. Much is at stake when Joe Biden finally meets Donald Trump for a debate again. Here are six tips for the candidates, based on success and failure in previous presidential debates: Don’t talk all the time Talking too much and too loudly, and interrupting at times and times, can be punishing. In 2020, Donald Trump verbally attacked Joe Biden as often as he had the chance, regardless of whether it was his turn to say something or not. “Will you shut up, man” and “yap-yap-yap”, replied a clearly annoyed Biden, while debate leader Chris Wallace from Fox News almost begged for calm. Trump later admitted that he was too aggressive in the debate. Outcome: Biden won the election in 2020. This year, a button has been introduced that cuts the sound so that the debaters cannot interrupt each other whenever they want. Watch your body language Keeping your mouth shut and letting your body communicate can also be a risky exercise. In the thriller election of 2000, Al Gore tried his hand at physically challenging George W. Bush, by walking up to him while the opposing candidate was answering a question. Bush looked quizzically at Gore, paused, and finished his answer with wit. And in 2016, many viewers were left literally unsure of where they had Donald Trump as he skulked around behind Hillary Clinton on stage and looked creepy as she answered. Outcome: Al Gore lost. Donald Trump won. A little humor doesn’t hurt When Ronald Reagan tried to be re-elected in 1984, at 73 years of age he was the oldest presidential candidate in history until then. Many wondered if he was simply too old for the job. But when the question came up in the TV debate, the old Hollywood actor had his reply ready: – Age is not an issue. I refuse to exploit my opponent’s youth and lack of experience for political gain, Reagan said with a good smile. Everyone laughed, his opponent Walter Mondale too, and the president won 49 out of 50 states in the election. A little emotion doesn’t hurt either Michael Dukakis was a man with clear principles who tried to become president for the Democrats in 1988. Among other things, he was opposed to the death penalty. But when asked what he thought would be an appropriate punishment if his own wife was raped and killed, he didn’t raise an eyebrow. Without a moment’s pause, he dryly and matter-of-factly set about explaining his opposition to the death penalty. And with that perhaps seemed principled, but also rather insensitive and distant. George Bush senior won the election. Try to get the facts straight In 1976, incumbent President Gerald Ford faced Democratic challenger Jimmy Carter for a debate. This was in the middle of the Cold War, where the United States was in conflict with the Soviet Union, and Europe was divided by an iron curtain between East and West. So when President Ford asserted that there was no Soviet domination over the countries of Eastern Europe, neither the moderator nor the opposing candidate could believe what they were hearing. The question was asked once more, but Ford stood his ground. And Jimmy Carter won the election. Try to look fresh In 1960, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon met for the very first televised debate. Kennedy agreed to makeup, Nixon declined. Kennedy wore a black suit and off-white shirt, Nixon was dressed in gray and had a faint shadow of beard growth. In addition, the then-Republican vice-president struggled with a slight cold, and eventually began to sweat under the bright studio lights. Altogether, it was probably enough to tip a record-breaking election in the then rather unknown JFK’s favour. PS! Those who heard the debate on the radio agreed that it was Nixon who did the best. You can watch the debate between Trump and Biden live on news TV from 03:00 on Friday night. Hear why this year’s presidential debate is perhaps the strangest ever: Published 27/06/2024, at 16.31
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