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We dont know exactly what will happen when President Biden and former president Donald J. Trump take the debate stage in Atlanta tonight.

We do know, however, that the first debate between the major party candidates is happening earlier in the election season than usual. And we also know that weve seen a version of this show before.

Their past matchups have featured bitter insults, constant interruptions and were political spectacles judged more on optics than on substance.

This year, considering that the candidates are offering radically different visions for the country, its hard to imagine an election in which the substance would matter more.

So, today, at least on The Run-Up, theres no buzzer, no microphone muting and no debate-stage theatrics.

Instead, we call four Times colleagues to talk about what the candidates are actually promising for a second term on four key issues: the economy, immigration, abortion and foreign policy.

The Run-Up is your guide to understanding the 2024 election. Through on-the-ground reporting and conversations with colleagues from The Times, newsmakers and voters across the country, our host, Astead W. Herndon, takes us beyond the horse race to explore how we came to this moment in American politics. New episodes on Thursdays.

The Run-Up is hosted by Astead W. Herndon and produced by Elisa Gutierrez, Caitlin OKeefe and Anna Foley . The show is edited by Rachel Dry and Lisa Tobin. Engineering by Sophia Lanman and original music by Dan Powell , Marion Lozano, Pat McCusker , Sophia Lanman,Diane Wong and Elisheba Ittoop . Fact-checking by Caitlin Love.

Special thanks to Paula Szuchman, Sam Dolnick, Larissa Anderson, David Halbfinger, Mahima Chablani, Jeffrey Miranda and Maddy Masiello.

Read more:
Ahead of the CNN Debate, Trump vs. Biden on the Issues - The New York Times