Crickets From Biden Campaign on Question of Debates With Trump

Part of the process of Americans making an informed decision before they go to the polls at election time is to first hear from the candidates. That usually includes a series of debates. It has been proven that debates matter. We saw that borne out, for instance, during the 1960 presidential election when voters could see and hear Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy side by side in the first televised debate. Even though we hear it every election, 2024 will truly be a turning point for America, making it essential that Americans know exactly where their candidates stand on the issues.

If you’re holding out hope Joe Biden will reveal himself Incompetent in the Presidential Debates…
DON’T….
There’s No Way He’ll Participate in the Debates!
He’ll Claim Trump is an Insurrectionist or Felon, But as you already know Biden’s Too Mentally Incapable to Debate W Trump pic.twitter.com/WilQNdPykz
— @Mike at the Beach (@mike123qwe) November 29, 2023

So far, all of the GOP candidates have participated in debates except Donald Trump, who is by far the leading candidate for the Republican nomination. Trump's decision not to participate has been met with mixed opinions as to whether it has been the right move. By all accounts, should Trump become the nominee, he is ready and eager to debate President Joe Biden. But the readiness seen by the Trump campaign is more like reluctance coming from the Biden campaign.

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has already announced dates for the general election debates. A senior aide to Donald Trump stated that the former President is eager to get on the debate stage but also said out loud what many Americans are thinking.

“President Trump looks forward to debating Crooked Joe Biden next fall. The real question is whether or not Joe will debate President Trump. Specific to the Presidential Debate Commission, the campaign has not yet accepted the suggested terms made recently.”

But so far, there has been no response to any questions regarding general election debates from the Biden campaign. Kate Beddingfield was Joe Biden's 2020 deputy campaign manager. She sidestepped the question of Joe Biden debating Trump should he become the nominee, saying that it is “a good strategic decision to know who your opponent will be before you commit to debating them." She also said that the Biden campaign did not need to make any debate decisions just yet.

When Biden refuses to debate, goes back to his basement, and lets the media run his campaign again, I do not want to hear a peep out of these people.

We all know it’s going to happen. Every negative story about Trump that you aren’t hearing about much right now, will be put on… https://t.co/TLjylXmIfz
— Burt Macklin (@BurtMaclin_FBI) November 21, 2023

Whether Democrats want to address it or not, a large number of American voters on both sides of the aisle are concerned about 81-year-old Joe Biden's health. A recent George Washington University/YouGov poll showed that just 35 percent of those polled felt that Biden was physically well enough to do the job. When asked about Biden's mental fitness for another term, the numbers were not much better, with only 38 percent saying he had the mental acuity for the job.

Mark R. Weaver is a Republican Strategist. he believes that Democrats will find a way to keep Joe Biden off the stage and away from any possible debate blunders. He stated,

“Trump will [debate]. Joe won’t. Joe will find a reason not to. He’ll say that he can’t debate an election denier or by then if there’s been a conviction that you can’t debate a convicted person. He’ll find some reason to not have to stand up there and answer tough questions.”

Add to that the fact that Donald Trump may not be the only candidate with legal issues on the debate stage. The House Oversight Committee continues to uncover evidence that Joe Biden lied about any involvement in his son Hunter's overseas business dealings. Hunter Biden is set to testify before Congress in December concerning the investigation into Joe Biden and members of his family. Any future findings from that testimony could influence debate decisions by Biden and the Democrat Party.

But Democrats are putting on their game face. Brad Bannon is a Democrat strategist and is also ignoring any jitters Democrats might have about Joe Biden's ability to up against Trump in a rematch. He stated,

“I think the Biden campaign would love the opportunity [to debate Trump]. Biden performed well in the 2020 debate. I think they would love to get an opportunity to corner Trump on a lot of different things. I think they’d love to have a shot at them and take them on in 2024.”

Besides any physical or mental issues, Joe Biden now has a record to assess. That assessment by American voters is also showing up in poll numbers. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll showed Trump ahead in five of six swing states. Key issues with voters are the dismal economy and Biden's age.

The first general election debate is scheduled for September 16, 2024. Democrats still have plenty of time to think up ways to keep Joe Biden off the debate stage.