Voters might have missed out on seeing President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump debate during their respective primaries, but thanks to some backdoor negotiations and poor polling for Biden, general election debates are now on the agenda. This turn of events is beneficial for voters.
Just two months ago, when asked if he would commit to debating Trump, Biden responded, “It depends on his behavior.” Trump hasn’t changed his behavior since then; he remains the same polarizing figure.
However, something has shifted in the past two months: Biden’s poll numbers. Biden is trailing significantly, particularly in key swing states. This is likely why he proposed a debate earlier this week, suggesting one in June and another in September.
Within a few hours, not only did Trump accept Biden’s offer, but CNN agreed to host the June 27 debate, and ABC agreed to host the September 20 debate. Reports indicate that senior aides from both campaigns had been negotiating informally for weeks through a back channel.
The June debate will be the earliest general election debate in presidential history, taking place before either candidate is officially nominated at their parties’ conventions. For Biden, this move could strategically silence any rumors that Democrats might replace him in Chicago.
The revised debate schedule also reduces the number of debates close to Election Day. Originally, the Commission on Presidential Debates planned three debates post-Labor Day. Under Biden’s proposal, there will only be one debate after Labor Day. This is advantageous for Biden as the bounce from a debate win usually diminishes after a couple of weeks, so having fewer debates closer to Election Day works in his favor.
Biden also appears to have won in terms of debate format. Given his tendency to become easily disoriented, Biden insisted on not having a loud in-studio audience for either debate. Additionally, he secured two media outlets, CNN and ABC News, which are typically more favorable to him. These networks are known for their anti-Trump stance, and their chosen hosts are likely to ask more favorable questions of Biden while posing more challenging ones to Trump.
Considering the likely bias of the moderators, Trump should insist that they be forbidden from providing live commentary or “fact-checking” during the debate. In 2012, CNN moderator Candy Crowley incorrectly fact-checked Mitt Romney, and such obvious bias from moderators is hard to avoid. But by limiting moderators to just asking questions, Trump can help ensure a fairer debate. Candidates can fact-check each other, but no factual assertions from third parties.
Trump’s ongoing success at the ballot box disproves the idea that a functioning democracy lacks an element of theater. Trump is fundamentally an entertainer, and his polling and ratings success reflect his prowess. Voters should view these debates as a form of infotainment, appreciate the opportunity to see both candidates face off live, and make the best decision between them in November.
