Donald Trump is hyped up about debating President Biden early and often from here to November, making it an almost daily part of his campaign commentary. Too bad he undermined his position by refusing to debate his GOP challengers.
Mr. Trump now says the two presumptive nominees have “an obligation” to debate, which he said is “for the good of our country.” We agree it would be useful, especially given how old both candidates are. Voters could compare their relative intellectual acuity as well as their positions on issues.
Mr. Biden says he’s open to debates depending on Mr. Trump’s behavior. But don’t be surprised if he declines, especially if he continues to rise in the polls. A coalition of media outfits issued a plea Sunday to both candidates to debate this year, but that is unlikely to make much of a difference.
Mr. Trump would be on firmer ground had he deigned to debate Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and others. He refused because he didn’t want to answer direct questions about his first-term record, his legal vulnerability, or his glib vow to stop the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. The decision paid off for him, but voters are now likely to shrug at his pleas for Mr. Biden to appear on stage with him.
Mr. Trump likes to invoke political norms when they serve his purposes but dismiss them when they don’t. If Mr. Biden chooses not to debate, Mr. Trump can blame himself for setting the precedent.
@ISIDEWITH3mos3MO
How do you think age and intellectual acuity should factor into a candidate's viability for presidency, if at all?
@9LKFL9H3mos3MO
I believe that it is time to have a younger president who appeals and advocates for the youth, introducing new and fresh ideas.
@ISIDEWITH3mos3MO
I would say there is a big difference between deciding not to get into a debate when you are leading someone in your own party by 50 percentage points as opposed to being virtually tied with an opponent from a different party with whom you will have substantiative differences in policy and position.
@DelegateSeafowlDemocrat3mos3MO
If only Trump had won every primary, you might have a point, but Trump lost Vermont and DC, so I think you are just making excuses.
It’s Biden that doesn’t want a debate, because Biden is a blubbering old fool.
@Grace_1958Patriot3mos3MO
And suggesting that Trump is 'begging' to debate. He's throwing down. Throwing down the gauntlet. But Buydun just doesn't even get it, or even hear it. His Ohbhama puppet aides don't tell him anything he needs to know, they just feed his teleprompter and let Buydun belch out all the rage and MAGA animus that he must in order to deflect from his own cor- upt ion.
@ISIDEWITH3mos3MO
If a candidate refuses to participate in debates, how does that influence your perception of their transparency and accountability?
@9LKFXGLIndependent3mos3MO
You can see how they act and what they say in debates
@ISIDEWITH3mos3MO
@ISIDEWITH3mos3MO
@NightingaleBuckRepublican3mos3MO
Forget debates, it would be nice if Biden just held a legitimate press conference.
@PenguinRickMountain3mos3MO
Or Trump being asked real questios like:
What will you replace Obamacare with that you promised 4 years ago?
What are your plans to reduce the debt
Isn't 11% tariffs bad for the economy?
Does your mass deportation of illegals involve interment camps?
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