Opinion: The Eagerness of Biden to Engage in a Debate with Trump
On Wednesday morning, both men acknowledged that they've received an invitation from ABC to participate in a second debate on September 10.
This decision comes after decades of uncertainty regarding whether or not there would even be debates. During the Republican primaries, Trump had avoided debates with his opponents, preferring to use social media and Fox News as his platforms. However, he now can't resist the opportunity to take on the president head-to-head.
Biden seems very confident with his experience from the 2020 debates, where he emerged victorious twice. He wants to perform again and prove that he's still capable of leading the country. Trump seems keen on engaging in a one-on-one showdown as well, to prove that he's more suited for the role of commander in chief. Despite usually being more eager to debate, Biden is feeling significant pressure from within his party and from polls showing him trailing behind Trump in certain swing states. Plus, this time around, Trump is still a significant media presence, making the debates even more essential for Biden.
The debate schedule won't follow the Association on Presidential Debates' (APD) preferred timeline, allowing campaigns to maintain more control over their performances and express their dissatisfaction with the APD's neutrality. Trump has also been highly critical of the APD, claiming it has a bias against him.
Televised presidential debates date back to 1960, when Senator John Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon engaged in a series of debates that allegedly helped swing the election in Kennedy's favor. The first break occurred in 1976, with President Gerald Ford debating former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter. Both of these debates were marked by memorable moments—Ford's perceived gaffe acknowledging that the Soviet Union didn't control Eastern Europe and a technical malfunction that left both candidates standing immobile onstage for nearly half an hour.
Till 1988, the League of Women Voters oversaw these debates. Then, the Commission on Presidential Debates took over.
Skeptics often dismiss the debates as pointless, arguing that they're superficial spectacles for television (and now, social media) with soundbite-ready insults and incomplete responses to serious questions. Furthermore, the events' staging has evolved into an entertaining show due to the involvement of cable and network news stations in organizing and promoting them.
However, despite their flaws, these debates hold value as they offer viewers the best prospect of seeing the candidates interact directly for extended periods. Observing how they perform can reveal a great deal about their character and endurance. The memorable confrontations between Trump and Hillary Clinton in 2016 highlighted each candidate's modus operandi.
The upcoming debates will give voters a better understanding of the candidates, serving as a stark reminder of their actual temperaments and plans for a potential second term. President Biden can prove that concerns about his age are unfounded, while Trump can display his ideas for the future of the country beyond his attempts to tarnish his rivals and the established order. The two men will compete to set the tone for future contests.
During the 2020 election, Biden successfully defended himself against accusations of being too old for the presidency, while Trump unveiled his true nature by advising a far-right group to "stand back and stand by," which they did until January 6, 2021.
In September, President Biden will get a chance to dispel any doubts about his age and enthusiasm. Former President Trump will be given an opportunity to show he has a vision for the country beyond his quest to undermine his enemies and challenge the establishment. The contenders will criticize each other, attempting to establish a tone for the remaining debates.
The debates represent a reality check for voters aligned with either candidate, differentiating between truthful assertions and deceitful claims. They shed light on what each individual might be like in another term-in-office.
Numerous queries remain unanswered, such as the exact guidelines to be observed as the committee won't establish them, as well as whether controversial candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should partake in the discussions (CNN's regulations compel him to secure 15% in surveys, a threshold he hasn't exceeded).
Despite its anticipated unpleasantness, it's preferable for the country to hold debates. The immediate profit is the provision of important details about the contestants to the electorate, who will not solely have to depend on intermediaries, social media celebrities, and commentators to understand the events.
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Despite the debate schedule deviating from the Association on Presidential Debates' preferred timeline, both candidates find it crucial to participate due to public pressure and polling data. In expressing their opinions during the debates, Biden aims to address concerns about his age, while Trump seeks to prove his vision for the country beyond his criticisms of rivals and the establishment.
Source: edition.cnn.com
