With just 35 days until the US election, the first debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden is the most pivotal moment so far in a race that has remained stubbornly unchanged in the face of historic tumult.
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Both men huddled with aides in the final hours before the debate on Tuesday, which will offer the candidates their biggest national stage to outline starkly different visions for a country facing multiple crises.
Americans are both fearful and impatient about the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 Americans and cost millions of jobs, and many are concerned about racial justice, protest violence or both.
Each side hoped the debate would energise its own base of supporters even as the candidates compete over the slim slice of undecided voters who could decide the election.
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-AAP