Both Donald Trump and Joe Biden are inching closer to a potential debate showdown as the presidential campaign heats up. Biden recently expressed his willingness to debate Trump, leading to a back-and-forth exchange between the two candidates. Republicans have been pushing for debates to happen, arguing that it is essential for the American people to see both candidates on stage before voting. Trump’s team is eager for debates to start earlier, hoping to reach voters before they make a decision. They see debating as a strategic move to force Biden’s team to make an early decision on debates.
Trump’s team is confident in the former president’s ability to excel on the debate stage, despite his mixed record on attending debates in the past. They are pushing back on the notion that Biden should not debate due to Trump’s previous absences from some debates. By calling for earlier debates, they hope to weed out third-party candidates that could potentially impact the election. The Commission on Presidential Debates will determine the eligibility of candidates to participate in the debates after Labor Day, but Trump’s team is committed to debating regardless of other candidates on stage.
The Biden campaign is not rushing to commit to specific dates or formats for the debates, viewing them as just one piece of their overall campaign strategy. They are taking a split-screen approach, focusing on governing and campaigning in battleground states while Trump is dealing with legal issues. Biden had previously conditioned debates on Trump’s behavior, indicating his willingness to engage in a debate showdown. The campaign sees debates as complementary to other campaign efforts, such as building organization and media strategy.
Debates have been a longstanding tradition in presidential elections, providing voters with an opportunity to see candidates side by side. While viewership of debates fluctuates, strategists and operatives believe they are important for voters to compare candidates’ records and stances. There is a risk involved in debates, as a candidate’s performance could sway public perception, affecting media coverage and voter opinions. Despite the potential risks, skipping debates would break with a tradition that has existed for decades, with candidates from opposing parties typically participating in general election debates.
Trump’s team’s call for early debates is seen as a strategic move to put pressure on Biden’s campaign to make decisions on debate participation. They are confident in Trump’s debate skills and are pushing back on criticisms of his past debate attendance. Biden’s campaign is taking a cautious approach to debates, viewing them as one aspect of their overall campaign strategy. While debates can influence public opinion and media coverage, there is also a risk involved for candidates. Despite the potential challenges, debates have been a consistent feature of presidential elections, providing voters with an opportunity to see candidates engage in open dialogue.
