Today is Thursday, June the 27th, 2024.

Welcome to the Daily Article podcast.

I'm Chris Elkins, narrating today's article written by Denison Forum co-founder and CEO, Dr. Jim Denison.

Tonight's televised presidential debate is the earliest such event in U.S. history.

Debates between presidential candidates are not legally required.

There were none in 1964, 1968, or 1972.

Some are more pivotal than others.

Senator John Kennedy's performance in 1960 likely legitimized him with viewers and contributed to his victory, while former Governor Ronald Reagan's confidence and likability helped him win in 1980. Since roughly 10%

of U.S. voters are still undecided, tonight's event could prove especially pivotal. Wall Street

Journal editor at large Gerard Baker writes.

There has probably been no occasion in the modern era when the stakes of a presidential debate

have been so high, the competition so close, or the candidate's performance so unpredictable.

The direction of the long campaign, its outcome, and even the ultimate identity of one of the party's candidates could hinge on this 90-minute encounter in Atlanta.

Your views regarding tonight's debate likely reflect your views of the candidates before it begins.

This is not just the case with your partisan positions, which will obviously influence your opinion of the event.

It turns out your personality is a major factor as well.

A recent study reported that candidates and voters' traits are systematically linked to each other

in such a way that voters are more likely to support candidates with personalities that

match their own.

It added that the effects of candidates' personality traits are often stronger for voters

who display a weaker partisan attachment.

In other words, we all view the world through the prism of our personal beliefs, traits,

...