The stage is set for a potential rematch of the 2020 presidential election as primary elections on Super Tuesday all but secured the likely candidates to be Donald Trump and Joe Biden. With both candidates emerging as the main contenders for the next presidency, the big question remains – will they agree to participate in presidential debates?
During the 2020 election cycle, Donald Trump notably skipped the Republican primary debates, opting instead to run counterprogramming with televised interviews and speeches that ran opposite the debates. Despite his absence from the primary debates, Trump is now ready to debate Biden publicly and has called for debates anytime, anywhere, and anyplace.
On the other hand, Joe Biden has not publicly responded to the debate invite from Trump. Biden’s campaign communications director, Michael Tyler, hinted at Trump’s thirst for attention and struggle to expand his appeal beyond his base, suggesting that the debate conversation will happen at the appropriate time in the election cycle.
The controversy over moderators and rules for presidential debates was a significant issue during the 2020 election cycle, with the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) sparring over various issues. Currently, there are three scheduled debates for the 2024 presidential election, with no confirmed participation from Trump or Biden. Third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could also qualify based on current rules if he reaches 15% in polls.
The scheduled debates are set to take place in Texas on September 16, Virginia on October 1, and Utah on October 9, with a vice presidential debate scheduled for September 25 in Pennsylvania. The outcome of these debates could have a significant impact on the election, as seen in previous years where debates played a crucial role in shaping public opinion.
Trump’s decision to skip the Republican primary debates in 2020 resulted in lower viewership compared to previous years when he participated. The importance of debates in engaging voters and shaping their views on candidates cannot be understated. The 2024 election cycle will be no different, with networks and cable channels gearing up for potentially high viewership if Trump and Biden agree to participate in the debates.
As the country gears up for another potentially contentious election cycle, all eyes will be on whether Trump and Biden will come to the debate stage to discuss vital issues facing America and its people. The outcome of these debates could sway undecided voters and play a crucial role in determining the next president of the United States.
