President Joe Biden’s campaign is challenging former President Donald Trump to participate in two presidential debates hosted by news organizations while informing the Commission on Presidential Debates that Biden will not take part in the fall debates as originally planned. The campaign has suggested debate dates in June and September and encouraged Trump to make the dates of their choosing, indicating that the first debate may occur after Trump’s ongoing legal trial for hush-money crimes.
In response to Trump’s taunts and challenges for a debate, Biden released a video message stating that Trump lost two debates to him in 2020 and appears hesitant to engage in further debates. Trump has expressed eagerness to debate Biden and even set up an empty lectern for him at a campaign rally earlier this month. Biden’s campaign chair proposed a revised debate schedule, citing changes in the election structure and early voting timeline as reasons to alter the original debate dates set by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
The Commission on Presidential Debates announced dates for three presidential debates last November, with the first scheduled for September 16 in Texas, the second on October 1 in Virginia, and a third on October 9 in Utah. However, Biden’s campaign believes these dates are outdated and not in line with the current election process and voter interests. They criticize the commission for treating debates as entertainment spectacles and failing to enforce rules during the 2020 debates, leading them to propose revised debate dates and formats.
The Biden campaign also suggested a vice presidential debate to take place in late July after the Republican Party has named its candidate for that position. This proposed debate schedule aims to accommodate changes in the election process, early voting, and voter preferences, providing a more relevant and engaging platform for the candidates to discuss important issues. While Trump’s campaign and the Commission on Presidential Debates have yet to respond to these proposals, the Biden campaign is actively seeking to engage in meaningful debates and discussions with its opponents. The story is ongoing and will be updated as new developments occur in the presidential debate schedule.
