Inside the debate prep for the first Biden-Trump face off
Digest
Chris Hayes delves into the upcoming first presidential debate of 2024 between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the event, taking place before the major party conventions and without the involvement of the nonprofit commission on presidential debates. He highlights the neck-and-neck race between the two candidates and the high stakes involved, particularly in light of the nation's current political climate. Hayes then takes viewers back to the first debate of 2020, analyzing the chaotic and contentious atmosphere, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He criticizes Trump's handling of the pandemic and his actions during the debate, including his refusal to condemn white supremacists and his spreading of misinformation about the virus. Hayes also discusses the significance of the Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death and the subsequent nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, highlighting the impact on Roe v. Wade and the future of reproductive rights. He concludes by discussing the upcoming debate and the potential for a contentious and unpredictable event, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical context and the stakes involved.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the upcoming first presidential debate of 2024 between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the event, taking place before the major party conventions and without the involvement of the nonprofit commission on presidential debates. It also emphasizes the neck-and-neck race between the two candidates and the high stakes involved, particularly in light of the nation's current political climate.
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The 2020 Debate: A Look Back
This Chapter takes viewers back to the first debate of 2020, analyzing the chaotic and contentious atmosphere, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It criticizes Trump's handling of the pandemic and his actions during the debate, including his refusal to condemn white supremacists and his spreading of misinformation about the virus. It also discusses the significance of the Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death and the subsequent nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, highlighting the impact on Roe v. Wade and the future of reproductive rights.
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Democratic Perspective on the Debate
This Chapter features an interview with Jamie Harrison, chair of the National Democratic Committee, who discusses the importance of the upcoming debate for both the Biden-Harris campaign and the Democratic Party as a whole. He emphasizes the stakes involved, highlighting the potential impact on fundamental freedoms and the need for Democrats to focus on tangible policy issues and the contrast between Biden's vision and Trump's record.
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Trump's Conviction and its Impact
This Chapter explores the potential impact of Trump's conviction on the upcoming election, particularly among undecided voters. It discusses the trend of independent voters shifting towards Biden since the conviction and the potential for this trend to continue.
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Trump's Messy Handling of Classified Documents
This Chapter examines new court filings that reveal the chaotic and disorganized manner in which Donald Trump stored classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. It highlights the absurdity of the conditions under which the documents were found, including boxes of documents mixed with personal items, golf shirts, and even a case of Diet Coke.
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MSNBC Live Democracy 2024 Event Announcement
This Chapter announces MSNBC's upcoming fan event, MSNBC Live Democracy 2024, scheduled for September 7th in Brooklyn, New York. It highlights the interactive nature of the event, featuring live discussion sessions and appearances by various MSNBC personalities, including Chris Hayes, Rachel Maddow, Steve Kornacki, Ari Melber, Joy Reid, and Alex Wagner.
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Trump's Legal Strategy and the Disorder at Mar-a-Lago
This Chapter discusses the ongoing legal battle surrounding Trump's handling of classified documents, focusing on the arguments presented by Trump's lawyers and the evidence presented by special counsel Jack Smith's team. It highlights the absurdity of Trump's legal strategy, which includes claims that the documents were declassified, that they were personal items, and that the FBI planted them. It also examines the significance of the new pictures released by Smith's team, which show the chaotic and disorganized manner in which the documents were stored.
Keywords
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is the 46th and current president of the United States. He previously served as the 47th vice president under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. Biden is a member of the Democratic Party and has a long history of public service, having served in the United States Senate from 1973 to 2009. He is known for his moderate political views and his focus on bipartisanship.
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Trump is a member of the Republican Party and is known for his controversial and divisive rhetoric. He is a self-described populist and nationalist, and his policies have been characterized as protectionist and isolationist. Trump's presidency was marked by a number of scandals and controversies, including his impeachment by the House of Representatives in 2019 and 2021, his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his role in the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol.
Presidential Debate
A presidential debate is a formal meeting between candidates for the office of president of the United States, typically held during the election season. Debates provide an opportunity for candidates to present their positions on key issues, to engage in direct dialogue with each other, and to reach a wider audience. Debates are often televised and are a major event in the election cycle.
COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and has since spread to every continent except Antarctica. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the world, causing millions of deaths and widespread economic disruption. Governments around the world have implemented a variety of measures to contain the spread of the virus, including lockdowns, travel restrictions, and mask mandates. The development of vaccines has been a major breakthrough in the fight against the pandemic, but the virus continues to evolve and pose a significant threat to public health.
Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade is a landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The decision struck down a Texas law that prohibited abortion except to save the life of the mother. Roe v. Wade has been a highly controversial decision, with strong opinions on both sides of the issue. The decision has been challenged numerous times, and the Supreme Court has upheld it on several occasions. However, in 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, leaving the issue of abortion up to individual states.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court in the country. It is composed of nine justices, who are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court has the power to review laws passed by Congress and state legislatures, and to strike down laws that it finds to be unconstitutional. The Supreme Court also has the power to interpret the Constitution, and its decisions on constitutional issues are binding on all other courts in the country. The Supreme Court plays a vital role in the American legal system, and its decisions have a profound impact on the lives of all Americans.
Antifa
Antifa is a decentralized, anti-fascist movement that opposes fascism and other forms of far-right extremism. The movement has a long history, dating back to the 1930s, and has been active in various countries around the world. Antifa groups often engage in direct action tactics, such as protests, demonstrations, and confrontations with far-right groups. The movement has been the subject of much controversy, with some accusing it of violence and extremism, while others defend it as a necessary force against fascism.
January 6th Attack
The January 6th attack on the United States Capitol was a violent insurrection that took place on January 6, 2021. A mob of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. The attack resulted in five deaths, including one Capitol Police officer, and numerous injuries. The attack was widely condemned by both Democrats and Republicans, and it led to Trump's second impeachment by the House of Representatives. The attack also sparked a national debate about the future of American democracy and the role of political violence in the country.
Classified Documents
Classified documents are government documents that contain information that is considered sensitive or secret. This information may be related to national security, foreign policy, or other matters that could harm the United States if it were to be disclosed to the public. Classified documents are typically marked with a classification level, such as "Top Secret," "Secret," or "Confidential," which indicates the level of sensitivity of the information contained within. The unauthorized disclosure of classified documents can result in serious legal consequences, including imprisonment.
Mar-a-Lago
Mar-a-Lago is a private club and resort located in Palm Beach, Florida. It was built in 1927 by Marjorie Merriweather Post, a cereal heiress, and was later purchased by Donald Trump in 1985. Mar-a-Lago has been Trump's winter residence since he purchased it, and it has also been used as a venue for political events and gatherings. In 2021, the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago as part of an investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents. The raid was a major news event and sparked a national debate about the rule of law and the potential for political interference in law enforcement.
Q&A
What are the key differences between the upcoming 2024 presidential debate and the first debate of 2020?
The 2024 debate is taking place before the major party conventions and without the involvement of the nonprofit commission on presidential debates. It is also happening in a different political climate, with the nation facing a number of challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the potential for political violence.
What were some of the most contentious moments from the first debate of 2020?
Some of the most contentious moments from the first debate of 2020 included Trump's refusal to condemn white supremacists, his spreading of misinformation about the virus, and his constant interruptions of Biden. The debate also highlighted the stark differences between the two candidates' approaches to the pandemic and their visions for the future of the country.
How has Trump's conviction on 34 felony counts potentially impacted the race for the presidency?
There has been a trend of independent voters shifting towards Biden since the conviction, suggesting that it may have had an effect on the margins of the race. However, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue and whether it will be enough to sway the election in Biden's favor.
What are the key arguments being made by Trump's lawyers in the case surrounding his handling of classified documents?
Trump's lawyers have made a number of arguments, including that the documents were declassified, that they were personal items, and that the FBI planted them. They have also argued that the way in which investigators handled the documents was improper and that the evidence should be thrown out.
What is the significance of the new pictures released by special counsel Jack Smith's team?
The pictures show the chaotic and disorganized manner in which Trump stored classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence, highlighting the absurdity of his claims that he was taking proper care of the documents. They also provide further evidence of Trump's recklessness and disregard for national security.
What are the key takeaways from the interview with Jamie Harrison, chair of the National Democratic Committee?
Harrison emphasizes the importance of the upcoming debate for both the Biden-Harris campaign and the Democratic Party as a whole. He highlights the stakes involved, emphasizing the potential impact on fundamental freedoms and the need for Democrats to focus on tangible policy issues and the contrast between Biden's vision and Trump's record.
What are some of the key issues that are likely to be debated in the upcoming 2024 presidential debate?
Some of the key issues that are likely to be debated include the economy, healthcare, climate change, immigration, and foreign policy. The debate is also likely to focus on the candidates' personal qualities and their ability to lead the country.
What are some of the challenges that Biden faces in the upcoming debate?
Biden faces the challenge of trying to maintain a substantive debate in the atmosphere of a man who is likely to be unpredictable and disruptive. He also faces the challenge of trying to appeal to undecided voters, who may be turned off by Trump's rhetoric and behavior.
What are some of the key things to watch for in the upcoming debate?
Some of the key things to watch for include Trump's behavior, his willingness to engage in substantive policy discussions, and his ability to appeal to undecided voters. It will also be important to watch how Biden responds to Trump's attacks and whether he is able to maintain his composure and focus on the issues.
Show Notes
Guests: Jaimie Harrison, Michelle Goldberg, McKay Coppins, Kristy Greenberg
Tonight: the substance, style and stakes of this week's debate by way of the unbelievable event from 2020. Then, is the political ground actually shifting post-conviction? And the jaw-dropping new pictures: Top secret documents found stashed next to Christmas choochkies and Diet Coke.
Buy your tickets today for the MSNBC live fan event: https://msnbc.com/DEMOCRACY2024
Want more of Chris? Download and subscribe to his podcast, “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes podcast” wherever you get your podcasts.