For the first time ever, two presidents will face off in a televised debate. Each hopes that the results will tip the scales in their favor, keeping them in the White House (or sending them back there) four months from now.
In an interview with CCJWednesday, American Trucking Associations’ President and CEO Chris Spear jokingly said: “This should be a pay-per view.” “The rules set up for this discussion are particularly interesting to us: the microphone has been turned off; there will be no audience.”
The rules that govern the face-off between incumbent Joe Biden and ex-president Donald Trump are quite unique. The rules for the debate between incumbent Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are unique.
“I want common sense from both of you.” Spear continued, “I hope that one or both of them can give some ideas about where our industry and economy will go forward rather than fighting each other.” “I think that our industry needs certainty.” I think that the economy needs it. “Consumers need certainty.”
Spear, whose Washington DC Office is only 3 miles from the White House, hopes to hear ideas and support for a industry that moves over two-thirds everything consumers touch.
Spear said, “I am looking for solutions that I believe our industry needs.” “I think energy and environmental policy needs to be more common sense. I think we need workforce policies that are not biased towards union bosses. I also believe (we need fairness in the courts . The plaintiff’s lawyers have made it clear that they are at war against our industry.”
The march towards Nov. 5 will be ugly, as Biden vs. Trump is shaping up to an epic and volatile battle. Neither side has much of a margin between winning or losing. Spear said that current polls indicate a tight race and ATA has spent a lot time educating both candidates equally “and making sure that our concerns are included in their narratives.”
Spear said that he would not predict the outcome. “I think it is a jumpball. We’ll just see how it plays like everyone else.”
Spear said that ATA, the industry, and the candidates will all need to be engaged, meet with the candidates and their teams and make sure that the good policies are reflected, regardless of the outcome. “The consequences are steep, when you are moving 73% of the country’s economy,” he stated. “Our industry is important. We are the first ones to feel when things go wrong because we touch everything. Our industry is a great indicator. I would hope both camps would pay close attention to our industry’s needs, because we are the gluing force and we need to share that story from a non-partisan or political perspective. We don’t pick favorites.”
Spear said: “I want good policies, a good vision, and certainty. If we can integrate our policies into that, all the better.”
The debate will take place on Thursday, June 27 at 9 p.m. ET. CNN broadcasts ET.