I think there should always be debates.
Curious as to why you think there should always be debates - especially after some ballots have already been cast? They didn't exist until JFK challenged Nixon in 1960.
Wendall Wilkie asked FDR to debate & FDR declined in 1940. The U of MD invited the 2 candidates to debate in 1956 & both declined. The 1st actual presidential debate was 1960 when a vigorous JFK took on pale, nervous Nixon on TV. No debates after that until 1976 - 16 years later.
By the time, the debates happen, there have been party hopeful debates, party primaries & caucuses, the national party conventions in which both candidates present their platform & make their pitch, & voting has started. Is there anything the public doesn't know by then? Especially when one candidate is the incumbent & has a 4 year record?
You make a good point. However, at least a debate gives voters the chance to see the candidates in a situation other than a 30 second commercial. While voters in some states are bombarded with commercials, I haven't seen a single one. The results of the state I live in is assumed, and frankly the candidates don't feel the need to woo individual voters in my state. We don't matter here like a voter in Pennsylvania matters. So a debate is one of the few times a nationwide audience will get to see both candidates.
However, after further thought given Trump throwing all presidential norms and decorum in the trash, and his history of lying (still waiting on those tax returns he promised), screw that guy.
I used to enjoy the debates - until Trump
They became a flashback to 3rd grade recess - you're fat, am not. you're ugly. am not
Besides, Trump is such a liar there is really no way to respond to half of what he says.
He will say they are doing a great job with corona and Biden and his left wing bosses will fire all the polilce, ruin the suburbs, totally open the borders, and take away jobs (he has said all of this stuff already). Biden will say no, that's not the truth, and Trump will say yes it is. It will be totally pointless.
I'm curious what % of voters would have their vote changed by a "debate" spectacle.
Maybe Trump will stalk Biden & invade his space like he did to HC in the last prez debate cycle. What a big tough macho guy Trump proved himself to be that night.
From CNN:
Well over 80 million people tuned in to see Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump face off, setting a new record in the sixty year history of televised presidential debates. According to Nielsen, the debate averaged a total of 84 million viewers across 13 of the TV channels that carried it live. Many millions also watched the debate via live streams on the web.
Bring them on!...Put Joe on stage!
Wow - w/those number$ out there, there’s no debating it - they’ll happen - had forgotten it was such a rating$ bonanza in 2016
Now as then, people will tune in just to watch - for the spectacle of it as was said - more-so than to be informed
all our senior citizens, proud of seeing two of their own up there, will tune in
[Edited on 8/4/2020 by Stephen]
DNC has been called off, or at least downsized - radio said Biden & running mate will not be in Wisconsin - also said incumbent will give acceptance speech from Oval Office
DNC has been called off, or at least downsized - radio said Biden & running mate will not be in Wisconsin - also said incumbent will give acceptance speech from Oval Office
Does anyone see a problem with an incumbent prez doing an acceptance speech at the WH? Isn't the WH supposed to be a place of policy and not politics. But leave it to Trump. Maybe he can announce he's closing down the postal system during his speech.
^^
yes, I think it's against federal election law
but the law doesn't apply to Trump and his enablers
Well, Trump claims under Biden there will be "no religion, no anything. Hurt the Bible. Hurt God. He's against God. He's against guns. He's against energy, our kind of energy."
Absolutely. Bananas.
