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What to watch for in the Biden-Trump presidential debate
By James Oliphant
(Reuters) -The two oldest candidates ever to run for U.S. president meet on June 27 for a televised debate unlike any other. One accuses his rival of being unhinged and a danger to democracy, while the other accuses his opponent of being senile and corrupt.
President Joe Biden, 81, and former President Donald Trump, 78, are essentially tied in national opinion polls with fewer than five months until the Nov. 5 election.
But many voters remain undecided, raising the stakes of a debate that will be viewed more for possible moments of drama than for policy discussions between the Democratic president and his Republican challenger.
Here is what to watch for in the first 2024 presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27, airing on CNN at 9 p.m. EDT (0100 GMT on June 28):
THE FITNESS QUESTION
Both candidates may face questions about their fitness to serve in ways previous presidential hopefuls have not.
Trump claims Biden is physically and mentally unfit for office, while Biden has called his predecessor “unhinged” and a danger to democratic norms.
Democrats point to Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters, his other efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his conviction on May 30 on 34 felony counts for his involvement in a hush-money scheme to keep an alleged sexual encounter with a porn star from the public.
On the other side, Biden’s mental and physical strength has been the subject of scrutiny and speculation as he seeks a second four-year term. Critics say he is slowing down and point to a series of verbal slipups; allies claim he is as sharp as ever.
Trump has regularly mocked Biden at rallies, suggesting he’s not up to the job.
The president’s age is also on most voters’ minds, including Democrats, and many viewers will be on alert for any sign that Biden — or Trump — is not up to the task.
Trump has not faced the same questions about his stamina but has raised eyebrows with his tendency to go off on extended tangents and occasionally misidentifying Biden as former President Barack Obama.
THE TEMPERAMENT TEST
Both candidates are known for their tempers and impatience. They are used to commanding the stage and getting their way. Both have been president and likely see little reason to yield to the other.
“There is a lot of bad blood,” said Tevi Troy, a former George W. Bush official who helped that Republican president prepare for the 2004 debates against Democrat John Kerry.
Biden rattled Trump during their first debate in the 2020 race, leading Trump into what was viewed as a poor performance as the Republican repeatedly interrupted and bickered with the moderator. Biden went on to beat Trump handily.
Trump may try to get under Biden’s skin by mentioning the legal problems of the president’s son, Hunter, who was convicted this week of lying about his drug use to illegally buy a gun. Joe Biden is well practiced at deflecting such comments, but viewers will be looking for any sign that the president cannot maintain his poise under fire.
Trump has to be careful, too, not to turn off moderate voters with a bullying approach.
“You can’t be so aggressive that you are rude, and you seem to be trampling your opponent,” said Brett O’Donnell, a veteran Republican debate consultant.
Both Biden and Trump could be rusty. Trump refused to participate in the 2024 Republican primary debates, a decision that did him no harm as he easily beat all his rivals for the party’s nomination. Biden also has not been on a debate stage in almost four years.
DISINFORMATION DANGER
Trump is notorious for injecting falsehoods and exaggerated boasts into his remarks, typically requiring a legion of fact-checkers to verify his claims. Biden, too, has been known to tell a few tall tales on the stump.
But there is peril for the opposing candidate in trying to correct the record on stage. “You have limited time,” Troy said. “You have to get your points out.”
He said fact-checking is a task better left to campaign aides who can quickly send out statements challenging the opponent’s assertions. Many news organizations also will assess the veracity of the candidates’ statements.
THE NARRATIVE TRAP
There will be a strong temptation for Biden to lean into Trump’s recent conviction in New York. O’Donnell says that would be a bad idea because it would further Trump’s unsupported contention that Biden was involved in bringing the charges and that Trump is a victim of political persecution.
The Biden campaign recently launched a $50 million ad campaign highlighting Trump’s guilty verdict, suggesting the president’s team views it as a winning issue.
For Trump, the danger lies in saying things that underscore Biden’s argument that he is a threat to democratic norms. Trump, for example, has suggested he will use the Justice Department to target his political enemies.
“Trump has to seem presidential, said Aaron Kall, an expert on presidential debates at the University of Michigan.
Trump may also be tempted to complain, as he frequently does on social media, about the forces working against him or cast himself as a victim of a political conspiracy. But undecided voters don’t care about Trump’s grievances, O’Donnell said.
“Folks aren’t interested in the candidate’s problems, they are interested in their problems,” the debate consultant said.
Political experts said the candidates should emphasize cost-of-living issues – such as high grocery, housing and energy prices – to show they are in touch with voters’ sentiments.
Biden has been trying to reassure voters about the economy for months with mixed results, and Reuters/Ipsos polls have shown Trump with an edge over Biden as the candidate voters trust to handle the economy.
Democratic pollster Brad Bannon said Biden needs to acknowledge that some voters are still having a tough time.
“He must couple his boast of accomplishments with an acknowledgement that consumers still struggle with high prices for gas and groceries,” Bannon said.
Biden, he said, “does empathy well. He needs to do much more of it.”
NO AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
In a sharp departure from previous presidential debates, there will be no studio audience. That could pose problems for both candidates, but perhaps particularly for Trump, who draws energy from a boisterous crowd.
The candidates might be somewhat at sea, getting no real-time feedback as to how their arguments and attacks are being received, Kall said. With no voters in the room to pander to, the candidates also may be more substantive and less histrionic.
Another danger for Trump: CNN has said his microphone will be turned off when Biden speaks to prevent Trump from interrupting. Trump may decide to try and be heard anyway, risking alienating some viewers in the process.
Trump, however, has deep experience in studio settings given his many years on network television, while Biden has delivered speeches from the White House without an audience. A key to debate success may be which candidate makes the format work best for them by connecting viscerally with viewers at home.
THE WILD CARD
There remains the slim possibility that independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could qualify for the debate under the criteria set by CNN. Should that happen, it would radically alter the dynamic, experts said.
To qualify, Kennedy must reach at least 15% support in four national opinion polls while also ensuring his name is on the ballot in enough states so that if he won them all, he would amass enough electoral votes to become president.
He faced a June 20 deadline for qualification and seemed unlikely to meet it.
Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:) has reached an impressive milestone, with its stock price soaring to an all-time high of $137.93. This peak represents a significant achievement for the company, reflecting a robust performance and investor confidence. Over the past year, Sterling Construction has witnessed a remarkable 84.48% increase in its stock value, underscoring the company’s strong market presence and the positive reception of its strategic initiatives. Investors and market analysts alike are closely monitoring STRL’s progress, as it continues to build on its momentum in the construction sector.
In other recent news, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. announced two key changes in its leadership. The company revealed the upcoming retirement of board member Charles R. Patton, effective from September 1, 2024. Patton, who has been a part of Sterling’s Board since 2013, will step down after over a decade of service, during which he contributed to the Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee and the Compensation Committee.
In parallel, Sterling Infrastructure named Dan Govin as its new Chief Operating Officer. Govin, who brings over three decades of experience in the energy infrastructure industry, is set to lead the company’s strategic and operational initiatives. His past roles include Regional President at Quanta Services (NYSE:) and Senior Vice President of Operations.
In related developments, Sterling Real Estate Trust, a North Dakota-based real estate investment trust, recently held its annual shareholders’ meeting. During the meeting, eight trustees were elected, including Gregory P. Hammes, Timothy L. Haugen, and Michelle L. Korsmo, among others. Additionally, the appointment of RSM US, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, was ratified by the shareholders. These are among the latest developments at Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. and Sterling Real Estate Trust.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
CRH (NYSE:) PLC, a global leader in building materials, has reached an all-time high, with its stock price soaring to $91.22. This significant milestone underscores the company’s robust performance and investor confidence in its growth trajectory. Over the past year, CRH has seen an impressive 66.73% increase in its stock value, reflecting strong market demand and the successful execution of its strategic initiatives. The company’s ability to achieve this record price level amidst a dynamic economic environment speaks volumes about its resilience and the positive outlook shared by its stakeholders.
In other recent news, CRH Plc has seen a series of positive developments. Stifel, a financial services firm, has increased its EBITDA projections for the company by 4% for the years 2024 and 2025, following a positive outlook on CRH’s earnings. This includes the expected contributions from the newly acquired Adbri, which is predicted to add an additional 1% and 2% to the EBITDA in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
In addition, Deutsche Bank has raised its price target for CRH, maintaining a Buy rating on the stock, following the company’s acquisition of a majority stake in Adbri. This move is anticipated to enhance CRH’s materials solutions offerings in Europe.
Furthermore, CRH has appointed Lauren Schulz as its new Chief Communications Officer, a move expected to enhance the company’s global communications strategy.
Additionally, CRH has filed a notification regarding transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities, providing transparency into the dealings of the company’s management.
Lastly, CRH has reported strong growth in adjusted EBITDA and margin for the second quarter of 2024, and has raised its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $6.82 billion to $7.02 billion. These recent developments demonstrate the company’s resilience and strategic approach in a competitive market.
InvestingPro Insights
The ascent of CRH PLC in the stock market is not just a reflection of past performance but also a beacon for future potential, as suggested by InvestingPro data and insights. With a market capitalization of $60.88 billion and a forward-looking P/E ratio of 17.69, CRH is positioned competitively within the Construction Materials industry. Its commitment to shareholder returns is evident through a consistent dividend growth, having raised its dividend for the last four years, and a dividend yield of 1.39% as of the last twelve months leading up to Q2 2024. These financial gestures indicate management’s confidence in the company’s profitability, which is further supported by a strong gross profit margin of 34.85%.
In addition to its financial health, CRH’s operational efficiency is highlighted by an EBITDA growth of 13.63% in the same period. Notably, analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, signaling potential for continued growth. For investors seeking more detailed analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, including insights into CRH’s share buyback strategy and its performance relative to industry peers. These tips, accessible through the InvestingPro platform, offer a comprehensive view of the company’s strengths and investment potential.
For those monitoring CRH’s trajectory, the stock is trading near its 52-week high, at 99.14% of its peak, with a previous close at $89.27. The company’s next earnings date is set for November 7, 2024, which will provide further clarity on its performance and outlook. With a fair value estimate of $101 by analysts and an InvestingPro fair value of $74.35, investors are presented with a nuanced picture of CRH’s valuation. As the market anticipates CRH’s next financial disclosures, the InvestingPro platform remains a valuable resource for real-time data and expert analysis.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
In a remarkable display of market confidence, Nelnet Inc (NYSE:) stock has achieved an all-time high, reaching a price level of $115.64. This milestone underscores a period of significant growth for the company, which has seen its stock value surge by 27.28% over the past year. Investors have rallied behind Nelnet’s strong performance, propelling the stock to new heights and reflecting optimism in the company’s future prospects. The all-time high represents not just a peak for the year but an unprecedented value in the company’s trading history, marking a momentous occasion for both Nelnet and its shareholders.
In other recent news, Nelnet Inc. has been under the spotlight following strong Q2 earnings and subsequent adjustments by TD Cowen. The firm increased Nelnet’s price target to $98.00, up from $96.00, while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. This follows Nelnet’s Q2 2024 earnings report, which highlighted an EPS of $1.44, surpassing TD Cowen’s estimate of $1.33. The improved earnings were largely due to reduced operating expenses and a lower provision for losses. However, these gains were slightly offset by a decrease in fee income and a lower net interest income.
In recent developments, Nelnet disclosed its quarterly financial results to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The report provides a snapshot of the financial health of Nelnet Bank, its wholly-owned subsidiary, and includes critical data such as assets, liabilities, and income. This commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance allows investors to gauge Nelnet’s financial stability and growth prospects.
Furthermore, Nelnet’s bank subsidiary, Nelnet Bank, also disclosed its quarterly financials. The report, known as the Call Report, is a significant indicator of the subsidiary’s contribution to Nelnet’s overall financial status. This routine disclosure aligns with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, providing a clear view of Nelnet Bank’s financial standing as of the last quarter.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of Nelnet Inc’s (NNI) recent achievement of an all-time high stock price, several InvestingPro Tips and real-time data points provide further context to the company’s financial health and market performance. Notably, Nelnet has demonstrated a robust track record by raising its dividend for 9 consecutive years and maintaining dividend payments for 18 consecutive years, which signals a strong commitment to shareholder returns. Additionally, analysts remain optimistic about the company’s profitability, expecting net income to grow this year.
From a data standpoint, Nelnet’s current market capitalization stands at $4.15 billion with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 26.88, which adjusts to a lower ratio of 22.02 when considering the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, reflecting a more favorable valuation for investors. The company’s revenue growth has been modest at 0.7% over the last twelve months, yet it experienced a more significant quarterly surge of 12.82% as of Q2 2024. Importantly, Nelnet’s stock is trading near its 52-week high, at 99.06% of this peak, and has seen a large price uptick of 31% over the last six months. These figures underscore the company’s strong market presence and potential for continued growth.
For those interested in deeper analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/NNI, which can provide investors with more nuanced insights into Nelnet’s performance and future outlook.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
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