The Problem With Biden's Debate Schedule
In a 14-second video announcement that required five jump cuts, Joe Biden announced this morning that he will participate in two debates against Donald Trump ahead of the November election. Before my show started at noon, each candidate had accepted debate invitations from CNN on June 27th and ABC on September 10th.
While some on the left are cheering Biden’s jabs at Trump, many are ignoring the implications of this specific debate schedule. The Biden team pressed for a historically early debate schedule that sidestepped the Presidential Debate Commission and specifically requested no live audience. The June debate precedes the Democratic National Convention meaning Biden could theoretically step aside if his debate performance is exceedingly poor while most of the nation is focused on the July 4th weekend.
Some Democrats are scoffing at this idea but I would take it seriously. Right now, Biden trails Trump in every major swing state and continues to infuriate everyone by holding every possible position on the war in Gaza. As independent voters continue to list inflation and immigration as the two main issues they care about the most, Biden seems incapable of tangibly moving the needle on either front. While the notion that Michelle Obama could replace Biden is ludicrous, we easily could see Kamala Harris as the nominee.
But the most significant implication is that if Biden and Trump complete the debate schedule as set now, the last debate will be nearly two months before election day. As inconsequential as debates historically have been and with each candidate near 100% name ID, these debates could be even less relevant than ever. But still, this is not the debate schedule of a President who is confident in his chances of reelection. Watch:
Well, I like the idea of no audience and only the one talking having a mike on. Let Biden hang himself, don't interrupt him. However, it still won't be "fair". I don't know who might be substituted for Biden, but I am still in the camp of it being likely. Either that or they are sure they have the system set so that Biden or whichever dem they run will win. Only people with blinders on think the 2020 was a fair and secure election.
Erick, to ChazAtl’s point, I will vote and encourage others to as well. But the last four years, yesterday’s conspiracy is today’s headlines. I believe the DNC leadership is amoral, and there’s not much they won’t do to swing an election. There was lot of smoke in 2020, and lot’s of people just sweep it under the rug as the official line is, ‘it was the most perfect election in all of history’. My gut says it wasn’t and I’m not alone. What are we doing to ensure the winner and loser of 2024 is the actual winner and loser? Serious question, as when votes keep coming in weeks later and we find out, no, actually Biden won Michigan, and Utah, etc. and an election is flipped, or at 2 am the next day, various vote counts flip inexplicably, it’s just not going to work. Our country needs confidence that this election is straight up. Are you aware of how the GOP is going to keep diligent watch?