What do you think of this attitude?

[senseandsensibility]

Charlie Sykes and David Frum both think Biden should NOT debate cheato. They think it elevates the former guy. The attitude, according to them, should be that a person under federal indictment charges who tried to overturn democracy should not be able to stand on the stage next to the POTUS.

I kind of like the attitude because it so unlike the always bending over backwards to be almost inhumanly fair routine that the Dems always adopt. I don't think that attitude has served us well. And it's true: cheato does not deserve to stand next to Joe. Just as a general matter.

[brooklynite]

1. I think it doesn't matter

Biden has decided to.

[mobeau69]

2. That train has left the station. Joe needs to call out his criminality to the nation and to tsf's pig face.

[Deuxcents]

3. It's up to Biden but I've been hoping the debate would not happen

Affording TSF the traditions and spotlight of presidential candidates that he tried so hard to dismantle just doesn’t seem right to me.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. There will be a penalty if Biden ducks the debate

Sail through it and he'll be a conquering hero. And by calling it early he's given time to mend any downside. Trump, however, will never come closer to presidential status than debate #1. He may have convictions by that time, he's sure to be nasty and vitriolic, and by September Trump will be a damaged candidate if he's still in the saddle. I think the Biden campaign is clearly indicating they don't want to debate by scheduling early. They have a plan, and know more than we ever will.

[Srkdqltr]

8. Do you really think Biden will duck the debate? That's nonsense. He set it up?

[Ruby Soho]

9. I think the poster is answering the OP's question about whether they agree David Frum about Biden not debating Trump.

[Srkdqltr]

10. I'm sorry I misspoke. There has been so much nonsense lately about Trump and Biden and everything.

I realize everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to it. But sometimes it's dizzying.

[Jim__]

5. Do you think Trump is going to debate Biden one-on-one with no studio audience?

I don't think he will. If he does, with a decent moderator and debate rules, Biden will clean his clock.

[senseandsensibility]

6. That's my fear

That no one will hold him to his "anytime anyplace" challenge to Joe. He'll start making demands and CNN will let him get away with it.

[ForgedCrank]

7. I think

that pretending he's not the opposition nominee is silly. We may not like it, but that's what he is. Simply snubbing him and refusing to recognize him doesn't make him look bad, it's the exact opposite.

[Mark.b2]

11. Voters are deserving of hearing and seeing the candidates interact....

it’s not much to ask them interact with one another and answer questions unscripted. Anyway, the Republican will never be worthy of being elevated. So, unless we want to say “no debates ever”, we need to move forward.

If/when Trump tries to slither out of these debates, Biden and Democrats will rightly roast him for it. That will be a big deal and yet another reason to disqualifying him.

I do wish the format of the debates would modernize, though. I want long-format podcasts. Two candidates, one moderator, 2-3 hours. Voter call-in questions. And I’d have candidates do them every other week for 2-3 months leading up to the election.

The two podiums on a stage with patriotic color schemes with entirely over ruled formats with two minute responses and 30-second rebuttals are a great disservice to voters.

[JustAnotherGen]

12. It's not nice to say

But that guy isn't fit to drink Biden's bathwater.

And I think Biden pushing back and doing the two debates for the reasons he's doing them - is okay.

But that guy is still too wet to step on, and too low to kick. He's not good enough to stand next to President Biden. He's a shit ass.

[senseandsensibility]

15. You have a way with words!

[Butterflylady]

13. I very much want them to debate.

Let Americans see the difference between them. Biden full of spit and vinegar looking fit for him the job and the orange face and fake hair. Biden will look presidential while the other looks like a clown.
Biden will wipe the floor with him.

[chowder66]

14. Maybe he should just let Trump spew his authoritarian dictator utopia for everyone to witness.