president debate like this it hasn't happened in the era of television debates. there have been presidential matches on the ballot paper before but not before all of the voters in the us to watch for an hour and a half to two hours to watch and see what they make of each candidate. so much rhetoric exchanged between them of course this time going around the debates conditions to make the debates conditions to make the debates with. .. debates conditions to make the debates with... the microphone will be used and they wa nt to want to be allowed to advise with their advisors we will see how all of that plays out. let's have a look at our north america editor sarah smith looks at what we can expect later today. two old men who the voters already know very well. they really do not like the choice they are being given. he is hoping to make his opponent look even worse. the campaigns are trying to recognise what they see as their opponents recognise what they see as their opponent's greater weakness. joe biden looking old and infirm along with claims that he is mentally incompetent. images unfairly taken out of context to say the biden campaign. i out of context to say the biden campaign-— out of context to say the biden camaiun. ~ , ., .,~ ., campaign. i think he should take a coanitive campaign. i think he should take a cognitive test _ campaign. i think he should take a cognitive test like _ campaign. i think he should take a cognitive test like i _ campaign. i think he should take a cognitive test like i did, _ campaign. i think he should take a cognitive test like i did, i - campaign. i think he should take a cognitive test like i did, i took - campaign. i think he should take a cognitive test like i did, i took a i cognitive test like i did, i took a concert dealing a cognitive test and i aced it. concert dealing a cognitive test and iaced it. doctor concert dealing a cognitive test and i aced it. doctor ronnyjohnsen... it was ronniejackson who gave him that test and democrats love to highlight his verbal slips. fix, that test and democrats love to highlight his verbal slips. a shock, oral execution, _ highlight his verbal slips. a shock, oral execution, i— highlight his verbal slips. a shock, oral execution, iwill_ highlight his verbal slips. a shock, oral execution, i will take - highlight his verbal slips. a shock, oral execution, i will take alleged | oral execution, i will take alleged every time. oral execution, i will take alleged every time-— oral execution, i will take alleged eve time. ., ,, ., , ., �* every time. the rolling stones don't sto - , every time. the rolling stones don't step. currently _ every time. the rolling stones don't stop, currently touring _ every time. the rolling stones don't stop, currently touring america, - stop, currently touring america, they are also in their 805 and just about as old as the candidates. their age has not weathered their fans if enthusiasm outside philadelphia but many are worried that president brydon is too old for another term. that president brydon is too old for anotherterm. i that president brydon is too old for another term-— that president brydon is too old for another term. i think we need some new candidates, _ another term. i think we need some new candidates, some _ another term. i think we need some new candidates, some young - new candidates, some young candidates.— new candidates, some young candidates. , ., ., , candidates. nobody talks about his olicies are candidates. nobody talks about his policies are what _ candidates. nobody talks about his policies are what he's _ candidates. nobody talks about his policies are what he's doing - candidates. nobody talks about his policies are what he's doing he - candidates. nobody talks about his| policies are what he's doing he they 'ust policies are what he's doing he they just talk— policies are what he's doing he they just talk about _ policies are what he's doing he they just talk about his _ policies are what he's doing he they just talk about his walking - policies are what he's doing he they just talk about his walking around . just talk about his walking around confused — just talk about his walking around confused half— just talk about his walking around confused half the _ just talk about his walking around confused half the times _ just talk about his walking around confused half the times and - just talk about his walking around| confused half the times and that's why he's_ confused half the times and that's why he's called _ confused half the times and that's why he's called sickly _ confused half the times and that's why he's called sicklyjoe. - confused half the times and that's why he's called sicklyjoe. he’s i confused half the times and that's why he's called sickly joe. he's too old. but donald _ why he's called sickly joe. he's too old. but donald trump _ why he's called sickly joe. he's too old. but donald trump is _ why he's called sickly joe. he's too old. but donald trump is only - why he's called sickly joe. he's too old. but donald trump is only four| old. but donald trump is only four years younger. if old. but donald trump is only four years younger-— years younger. if you look at the two, years younger. if you look at the two. there _ years younger. if you look at the two. there is _ years younger. if you look at the two, there is no _ years younger. if you look at the two, there is no comparison, - years younger. if you look at the two, there is no comparison, so| two, there is no comparison, so donald — two, there is no comparison, so donald trump _ two, there is no comparison, so donald trump may— two, there is no comparison, so donald trump may be _ two, there is no comparison, so donald trump may be as - two, there is no comparison, so donald trump may be as old - two, there is no comparison, so| donald trump may be as old but two, there is no comparison, so. donald trump may be as old but he two, there is no comparison, so- donald trump may be as old but he is not _ donald trump may be as old but he is not he _ donald trump may be as old but he is not he does — donald trump may be as old but he is not... he does not _ donald trump may be as old but he is not... he does not act _ donald trump may be as old but he is not... he does not act as _ donald trump may be as old but he is not... he does not act as old, - donald trump may be as old but he is not... he does not act as old, he - not... he does not act as old, he does _ not... he does not act as old, he does not — not... he does not act as old, he does not act _ not... he does not act as old, he does not act as _ not... he does not act as old, he does not act as feeble, - not... he does not act as old, he does not act as feeble, it's - not... he does not act as old, he does not act as feeble, it's just l does not act as feeble, it's just different. — does not act as feeble, it's just different. i_ does not act as feeble, it's just different, i think. _ does not act as feeble, it's just different, i think. he _ does not act as feeble, it's 'ust different, ithinki does not act as feeble, it's 'ust different, ithink.�* does not act as feeble, it's 'ust different, i thinki different, i think. he is not a 27-year-old _ different, i think. he is not a 27-year-old kid, _ different, i think. he is not a 27-year-old kid, he - different, i think. he is not a 27-year-old kid, he is- different, i think. he is not a 27-year-old kid, he is a - different, i think. he is not a i 27-year-old kid, he is a senior 27—year—old kid, he is a senior citizen. he is smart he knows what he's doing, he is experienced and i have a confidence in him so far. in the courtroom, we see donald trump or who _ the courtroom, we see donald trump or who years — the courtroom, we see donald trump or who years. he has been convicted of 34 _ or who years. he has been convicted of 34 felonies... or who years. he has been convicted of 34 felonies. . ._ of 34 felonies. .. democrats hoped a series of guilty _ of 34 felonies. .. democrats hoped a series of guilty verdicts _ of 34 felonies. .. democrats hoped a series of guilty verdicts would - series of guilty verdicts would repel vault voters but so far it has had not had a huge impact on the polls. had not had a huge impact on the olls. ., . had not had a huge impact on the nolls, ., ., , polls. for an independent it might make a bit of— polls. for an independent it might make a bit of difference _ polls. for an independent it might make a bit of difference may - polls. for an independent it might make a bit of difference may be i polls. for an independent it might i make a bit of difference may be just around the margins that matter but it is a close race so that margin might actually come into play come november. , , ., november. there is still a little more than _ november. there is still a little more than four— november. there is still a little more than four months - november. there is still a little more than four months to - november. there is still a little more than four months to go i november. there is still a little more than four months to go in november. there is still a little - more than four months to go in the battle for the white house but this debate will set the tone. in a contest that seems to be as much about around the vibe of the candidates at about the policies. the voters want a president who claims to project strength or one who promises to protect democracy or just the one who comes out of this looks like the winner. what happens here tonight will be the most pivotal moment yet in this campaign. and could define the race from now on. sarah smith, bbc news, atlanta. sarah was talking there about the right vibe around the candidates lets have a look at the vibe around the spin room. we can speak to our north america, respondent who is down on the floor here behind me. john, what is it like where you are what we expect to our north america, respondent who is down on the floor here behind me. john, what is it like where you are what we expect later on? ., ., like where you are what we expect later on? . ., , like where you are what we expect later on? . . , , like where you are what we expect later on? . ., , , ., ., , later on? katrina, this is normally a basketball _ later on? katrina, this is normally a basketball court _ later on? katrina, this is normally a basketball court but _ later on? katrina, this is normally a basketball court but tonight - later on? katrina, this is normally a basketball court but tonight it i a basketball court but tonight it will be playing host to a political kind of sport, if you are behind me, you can see the ranks of the other us networks with the uprights and autocue is running an over here is the studio for the post match analysis. that is where the pundits, pollsters, the proxies for the two campaigns will be dissecting what has been said and of course, trying to declare their candidate a winner. there is a lot of hype and hyperbole as so often with these events but, you know, there are issues of real substance here, the polls on pretty much neck and neck and what happens tonight has the potential at least tonight has the potential at least to shift the needle a little amongst those crucial and double sided voters in those key swing states and possibly alter the shape of the campaign and therefore the future of the country. find campaign and therefore the future of the count . �* , , ., ~ campaign and therefore the future of the count . �* , , ., ,, ., campaign and therefore the future of the country-— the country. and speaking of all of that, the country. and speaking of all of that. john. — the country. and speaking of all of that, john, this _ the country. and speaking of all of that, john, this debate _ the country. and speaking of all of that, john, this debate is - the country. and speaking of all of that, john, this debate is coming l the country. and speaking of all of. that, john, this debate is coming so much earlier than we normally have debates just a few weeks out from polling day, what is the thinking around how impactful it will be for potential voters, particularly for battleground states like we are now in georgia. battleground states like we are now in georaia. ~ , ., in georgia. well, it is worth remembering _ in georgia. well, it is worth remembering that - in georgia. well, it is worth remembering that is - in georgia. well, it is worth remembering that is the i in georgia. well, it is worth - remembering that is the earliest one of these debates has been held in the electoral cycle, you know, they don't normally take place until the fall and i think there is a good reason for that. it's the fact that the polls are so close, both candidates realise they need to do something to do shift the needle to try and gain the advantage somehow. from an electorate that is after all well familiar with both of these men, many of them we read of both candidates, they have seen a lot of this before. it is in that context that i think the both campaign see the need for this early debate to try and win that advantage how much of a difference will it make? you know, if both men are able to acquit themselves pretty well and stick to their talking points, get off without a gaffe or a misstep, maybe not that much difference but of course, it is that possibility of something unexpected, of one of them going off a script that could make all the difference. idd’iiiii going off a script that could make all the difference.— all the difference. will see no doubt some _ all the difference. will see no doubt some of— all the difference. will see no doubt some of those - all the difference. will see no | doubt some of those personal all the difference. will see no - doubt some of those personal issues raised, the age of dough team and joe biden, the character of donald trump, create convicted criminal as he is now. what we expect to be discussed in terms of the platforms on? ., ., ., ., . on? cnn have not given advance notice of what _ on? cnn have not given advance notice of what issues _ on? cnn have not given advance notice of what issues and - on? cnn have not given advance i notice of what issues and questions are going to be put to the two candidates but we can make a pretty good guess at what the mame is going to be... the economy, of course, is going to be front and centre, the issue of migration, which has been a big issue for donald trump over the last few months and an issue which he has attempted to exploit. questions of foreign policy, the world is a very different place to the one that was an existence of four years ago when these men last two debated, there is a war in gaza, a war in ukraine and i think forjoe biden, there are things that he can point to that have changed, most significantly perhaps, when last met roe v wade, the constitutional right to an abortion, existed in america and that has now gone and he will certainly be trying to take that issue and attempt to pin blame for that change on squarely on donald trump. that change on squarely on donald trum -. , ., ., ,, that change on squarely on donald trum. ., ,, , that change on squarely on donald trum. ., , . trump. john, thank you very much. with speech _ trump. john, thank you very much. with speech a _ trump. john, thank you very much. with speech a little _ trump. john, thank you very much. with speech a little bit _ trump. john, thank you very much. with speech a little bit later- trump. john, thank you very much. with speech a little bit later on - with speech a little bit later on but it is those last—minute preparations are under way in both campaigns let's connect to someone who knows all about preparing candidates for debate we can speak to our political analyst and a former republican strategist, thank you forjoining some bbc news. the tickets on and the last few hours now, what is going to be going on behind closed door asjoe biden and donald trump make their way to atlanta? ~ . ., , ., donald trump make their way to atlanta? ~ . . , ., , ., atlanta? well, certainly a number of strateuies atlanta? well, certainly a number of strategies on — atlanta? well, certainly a number of strategies on both _ atlanta? well, certainly a number of strategies on both camps _ atlanta? well, certainly a number of strategies on both camps are - atlanta? well, certainly a number of strategies on both camps are going i strategies on both camps are going to be holding their breaths because tonight really stands to define the rest of the race between now and november. tonight is going to give us a glance at what we are looking at. we are looking at two men who are well known to the american public but also notjust in a substantive way but we can guess where they are policy wise, they can tell us something new here or there. but more than anything, tonight is going to be about style and endurance, and then, also, one thing that has not been talked about max but will be a really big deal tonight is going to be about trust. can you trust either of these men to build a team around them and retain that team to give the american people what they need and want over the next four years? haifa people what they need and want over the next four years?— the next four years? how do you address that _ the next four years? how do you address that issue _ the next four years? how do you address that issue of _ the next four years? how do you address that issue of trust - the next four years? how do you address that issue of trust as i the next four years? how do you | address that issue of trust as you describe it when you are answering questions? there is not an audience slowing things down with hooping and hollering, you have to answer the questions directly... the hollering, you have to answer the questions directly. . ._ hollering, you have to answer the questions directly... the past four ears, questions directly... the past four years, president _ questions directly... the past four years, president trump _ questions directly... the past four years, president trump has - questions directly... the past four years, president trump has acted| questions directly... the past four i years, president trump has acted as if he has not left of this delivery office. he has been conducted wrapped rallies with a team around him and he himself continues to refer to himself as the president and not former presidents. there is and not former presidents. there is a way in which mr trump conducts himself that is well known to the american public but how he really speaks about his opponent this time is going to be the entire name of the game. up until tonight, and even now in these hours before, he has continued to attack biden on the physical front. continued to attack biden on the physicalfront. casting him as completely incapable of doing another second term. but, what is also a really big theme in how trump views his opponent is notjust in weakness but also in a way of likeability, can the american public fall in love withjoe biden again, thatis fall in love withjoe biden again, that is the real question here. what trump is going to try to do is say remember me, remember how good your life was under my time in office, thatis life was under my time in office, that is going to be something that biden really needs to push back on in a substantive way with data points. in a substantive way with data oints. , , ., .. in a substantive way with data oints. , , ., ,, ., ,., points. they will be talking about their ast points. they will be talking about their past performance _ points. they will be talking about their past performance but - points. they will be talking about their past performance but will. points. they will be talking about| their past performance but will we hear much from them in terms of looking to the future, i know f