Science & Technology

The first of three presidential debates is Tuesday, Sept. 29, on Fox and C-SPAN, and other channels and websites. While MRAK readers will be watching from all over the state and the nation, they can talk to each other on Must Read Alaska’s Facebook page, which will have a debate discussion starting at about 5 pm Alaska time.The debate features President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden facing off at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio.Biden, who is 77 years old, has been scarcely seen in public this month and is said to have been preparing for the debate, which will be moderated by Chris Wallace of Fox. During his preparation drills, former Obama White House counsel Bob Bauer has been playing the role of Donald Trump in mock debate sessions.Biden reportedly asked the debate commission that there be a break every 30 minutes during the 90-minute debate, but the Trump camp has refused that request, saying the president doesn’t need breaks.President Donald Trump, 74, has been out on the campaign trail and holding rallies across the country. He doesn’t appear to have spent much time preparing for the debate.The six topics for the event are: The Trump and Biden records, the Supreme Court, Covid-19, the economy, race and violence in our cities, and the integrity of the election, according to the Commission of Presidential Debates.Pollsters say most voters have already decided who they are voting for in the presidential election, but as many as 11 percent have not made up their minds, according to a NBC/Wall Street Journal poll. Depending on where those voters are, they could be pivotal to the success of the candidates.Tune into the debate at 5 pm Alaska time and then check the Must Read Alaska Facebook page, where there will be a discussion and a meme war going on during the 90-minute debate, moderated by Suzanne Downing from an undisclosed location in District 28, and John Quick, who will be monitoring and responding from District 29, Nikiski.