RMIT experts are available for comment on the first US presidential debate

Dr Emma Shortis (0430 358 798 or emma.shortis@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: US history, US politics, Trump administration

“Televised debates have been a fixture of the American political landscape since the very first time a young John F Kennedy debated Vice President Richard Nixon in 1960.

“Since then, presidential debates have had the capacity to sway polls and arguably even elections. Just as often however, they haven't mattered at all.

“In this most unusual election year, it's not clear which category the first debate between President Trump and his opponent Joe Biden will fall into.

“While President Trump seems to have set Joe Biden a very low bar to clear, Trump has managed the debate stage well in the past.

“Biden will be hoping to keep the focus on Trump's response to a global pandemic that has now killed close to 205,000 Americans, and the explosive release of his tax returns.

“Trump will no doubt be hoping to rattle Biden into a poor performance, perhaps by focusing on his son Hunter.

“In the looming shadow of Trump's open threats to the democratic process, all eyes will be on Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday morning Australian time.”

Dr Emma Shortis is a Research Officer at the EU Centre of Excellence at RMIT University. She was a Fox-Zucker International Fellow at Yale University during her PhD in history, is a regular media commentator on the history and current politics of the US and co-host of RMIT’s politics and culture podcast Barely Gettin’ By.

Associate Professor Aiden Warren (0420 315 003 or aiden.warren@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: US politics, Trump administration, US foreign policy, NATO

“This year has been like no other, the issues have been like none we’ve faced in recent times and people are watching this debate and election closely.

“This is going to be one of the biggest debates of all time in many ways and the seismic nature of this election probably makes it the most important globally since 1945.

“Heading into this first debate, both the Trump and Biden campaigns have been quiet about how the candidates are preparing.

“What we do know is that while Biden has likely been in full days of preparations, Trump has been getting help from a long-time ally and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

“I think it’s fair to assume Trump is going to try and rattle Biden, and we know Biden’s weakness is speaking off the cuff, while Trump has the capacity to be very agile in debates.

“Recent events including the passing of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the New York Times' exclusive story on Trump’s tax returns will definitely shape the debate, but just how remains to be seen.

“This first debate is likely to tell us a lot about how the candidates’ campaigns will ramp up from now into November.

“There’s no telling how what the influence on the polls might be, but Trump remains a president like no other and this will be another election like no other.”

Dr Aiden Warren is an Associate Professor at RMIT University's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies and is the 2018-19 Fulbright Scholar in Australia-United States Alliance Studies. His expertise includes international security and relations, US national security and foreign policy, US politics and arms control. His latest book is on US foreign policy and China.

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