Questions we'd ask at the presidential debate
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The biggest moment (so far) of the presidential campaign arrives Thursday night (9 pm ET), as President Biden faces former President Trump in their first — and perhaps only — debate of 2024.
- And as usual, we have questions. So with apologies to CNN debate moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, here are a few we'd like to hear the candidates answer:
For Biden:
1. If you're re-elected, you'll be an 86-year-old man in one of the world's most stressful jobs before your second term is up. What changes would you make to account for that, and assure Americans that you're capable of serving that long?
2. The stats tell us the economy is doing well, but many voters aren't feeling it because of inflation — and they're blaming you. What do you say to them, and are you frustrated that much of your messaging on the economy's progress hasn't resonated with many Americans?
3. Knowing now what you didn't know when Hamas attacked Israel last October, would you have done anything differently with regard to Israel? How do you assess the political damage to your candidacy from progressive Democrats whose voted you need, but who are angry about Israel's actions against Palestinians?
4. Why did it take so long for your administration to respond to the influx of migrants at the southwestern border? Republicans made clear early in your term that they would attack you on the issue, and now polls suggest it's among your biggest vulnerabilities.
For Trump:
1. You've questioned the president's mental acuity, but in several speeches you've told rambling stories that haven't made a lot of sense, slurred your words, and gotten people's names wrong. Do you understand why some voters are wondering about your mental acuity?
2. You're signaling that you want to dramatically increase presidential powers. Your 2025 plans include mass deportations, ordering the Justice Department to prosecute political foes, and replacing civil servants with loyalists. Wouldn't centralizing power like that amount to replacing what you call D.C.'s "swamp" with a swampier swamp?
3. You've called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "genius" and "savvy" for invading Ukraine, and said that as president you could quickly end the war there. Would that plan involve Ukraine giving up land Russia took in the war — essentially rewarding Putin?
4. You've praised the Jan. 6 protesters who were convicted, calling them "patriots" and "hostages." You haven't said much about the 140 police officers who were wounded that day, the officer who was killed or the four others who died by suicide in the months after the assault on the Capitol. Do you regret anything about Jan. 6 — besides Congress certifying your loss in the election?
