Twelve news organizations have come together to encourage presumptive presidential nominees Joe Biden and Donald Trump to agree to debates, emphasizing the importance of this longstanding tradition in American politics. Debates have been a crucial part of every general election campaign since 1976, providing voters with a platform to witness candidates discuss their visions for the nation.
The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates has set three presidential and one vice presidential forums, urging both campaigns to publicly commit to participating. The news organizations, including major networks like ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, PBS, NBC, NPR, and The Associated Press, stress that the high stakes of the upcoming election necessitate direct debates between the candidates.
While Trump has expressed willingness to engage in debates, Biden has not yet confirmed his participation. The two candidates debated twice in 2020, with a third debate being canceled due to Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis. Biden's response to committing to a debate with Trump was contingent on the latter's behavior during the debates.
The Trump campaign has signaled readiness to debate anytime and anywhere, emphasizing the importance of engaging in this democratic process. However, they have raised concerns about the fairness and impartiality of the Commission on Presidential Debates, citing past issues with moderator selection.
Despite the Republican National Committee's decision to no longer participate in commission-sponsored forums, the Trump campaign has not definitively stated its position. They have requested an earlier debate schedule to accommodate early voting trends.
While the Biden campaign has not provided a formal response to the news organizations' letter, Trump recently called for debates during a rally in Pennsylvania, symbolically setting up a second lectern for Biden. The call for debates has garnered support from additional broadcasters like C-SPAN, NewsNation, and Univision.
As the election season progresses, the push for debates highlights the critical role they play in informing voters and shaping the national discourse. The American public eagerly awaits a commitment from both candidates to engage in these pivotal discussions.
