Analysis from the first 2020 presidential debate

Two men stand behind podiums on opposite ends of the stage.
President Donald Trump (L) and Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speak during the first presidential debate at the Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday.
Jim Watson | AFP via Getty Images

The pandemic has thrown a wrench into the typical election year calendar, but it hasn’t put a halt to the presidential debates.

President Donald Trump and former Vice President Biden took the stage together on Tuesday night for the first of three presidential debates.

The candidates are hoping to sway voters, even as early voting has already started in a number of states, including Minnesota.

Will their performance be enough to garner new supporters? Or is it more important to fire up their bases?

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On Wednesday at 9 a.m., two political scientists tackled those questions and more with MPR News host Kerri Miller.

Guests:

Christina Greer is an associate professor of political science at Fordham University.
Samara Klar is an associate professor at the University of Arizona School of Government and Public Policy. 


To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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