In the final stages of Donald Trump's search for a running mate, two top finalists have emerged: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Senator JD Vance of Ohio, according to sources wired into the process. The search has intensified, with more than a dozen sources discussing the strengths and weaknesses each candidate would bring to the ticket.

While there is still a possibility for Senator Marco Rubio of Florida to be considered, concerns about his enthusiasm for the role and the constitutional requirement of establishing residency in another state have cast doubts on his chances. Governor Burgum and Senator Vance, on the other hand, have gained traction in Trump's selection process.

Trump has indicated that he plans to announce his choice closer to or at the Republican National Convention, scheduled to begin on July 15 in Milwaukee. However, discussions about the timing of the announcement remain ongoing among sources familiar with the deliberations.

One option being considered is for Trump to reveal his pick immediately after his July 11 sentencing on 34 felony counts, in an effort to swiftly move past a damaging news cycle. Alternatively, the announcement could come earlier to generate a fundraising boost detached from Trump's legal troubles or the convention. However, concerns have been expressed that his legal issues could overshadow any positive impact from the revelation of his running mate.

As the VP search continues, Trump's allies are closely guarding the deliberations, well-aware of the president's preference for surprises. Balancing the need for a nonthreatening running mate with someone who can represent the future of Trump's movement is causing some tension and indecision within the campaign.

Turning our attention to the upcoming debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, it has been over 1,300 days since their last face-to-face encounter. Neither candidate has been on a debate stage for an extended period, with their last debate occurring back on October 22, 2020.

Previous debates have shown that usually, the sitting president faces a disadvantage when it comes to general election debates. Both Biden and Trump will need to overcome this challenge in their showdown in Atlanta on Thursday. Despite the lack of recent debate experience, both candidates have significant experience from previous primary and general election debates.

Reflecting on the last debate, moderator Kristen Welker effectively managed the event, and the Commission on Presidential Debates muted the candidates' microphones during the opening remarks for each issue section. This led to a more civil exchange between the contenders, with minimal interruptions. With the upcoming debate adopting a similar microphone-muting policy, the second debate in 2020 provides a preview of what we may witness on Thursday.

The topics discussed in the last debate were wide-ranging, including the handling of the coronavirus pandemic and taxation. Trump emphasized the importance of opening schools and the country, cautioning against letting the cure be worse than the problem itself. Biden countered by highlighting the need for resources to safely reopen, accusing Trump of making false promises in the past regarding the pandemic timeline.

The issue of Trump's taxes also emerged as a point of contention between the candidates. Biden criticized Trump for not releasing his tax returns, questioning what he might be hiding. In response, Trump brought up allegations of Biden's family members making money through questionable means.

With the upcoming debate fast approaching, both Biden and Trump have a lot to prepare for as they return to the debate stage. Thursday's face-off will offer an opportunity for both candidates to showcase their policies and vision for the country.

As the VP search reaches its final stages and the anticipation for the debate builds, the political landscape continues to evolve. All eyes will be on Trump's choice for running mate and the clash between Biden and Trump, as the nation edges closer to the November presidential election.