After the debate: Gauging how the candidates fared

⋅ The first showdown has concluded. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump arrived in Atlanta this afternoon (amid interstate-closing motorcades) and spent about an hour and a half tonight taking personal shots and trading accusations at the CNN presidential debate.

⋅ In a key question, Trump declined to commit to accepting the results of the presidential election in November. “If it’s a fair and legal and good election, absolutely,” Trump said.

⋅ In a key question, Biden blamed rising inflation since he took office on his predecessor, saying it was the situation he inherited from Trump amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that when Trump left office, “things were in chaos.”