Twelve major media outlets signed a joint statement asking President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the presumptive nominees, to debate ahead of the general election in November
ABC News, The Associated Press, CBS News, CNN, C-SPAN, FOX News Media, NBCUniversal News Group, NewsNation, Noticias Univision (Univision Network News), NPR, PBS NewsHour, and USA TODAY signed the letter requesting a debate. They say debates play a vital role in democracy.
“With the contours of the 2024 general election now coming into clear focus, we — the undersigned national news organizations — urge the presumptive presidential nominees to publicly commit to participating in general election debates before November’s election,” the letter said.
The letter said the tradition of having presidential candidates debate goes back to 1976.
“General election debates have a rich tradition in our American democracy, having played a vital role in every presidential election of the past 50 years, dating to 1976. In each of those elections, tens of millions have tuned in to watch the candidates debating side by side, in a competition of ideas for the votes of American citizens,” the statement said.
Trump, who refused to debate his Republican rivals during the presidential primary, said he could debate Biden “anytime, anywhere, anyplace.” The Trump campaign has asked the Commission on Presidential Debates for earlier opportunities for him to debate the president.
“The Commission must move up the timetable of its proposed 2024 debates to ensure more Americans have a full chance to see the candidates before they start voting, and we would argue for adding more debates,” Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, Trump campaign officials, said in a letter. Debates typically happen in the fall, closer to Election Day.
While debates typically do not change public opinion, Biden won both debates in 2020. Biden has not ruled out a debate with Trump but has not committed to one yet.
The Commission has previously announced dates, times, and eligibility criteria for 2024 debates. Though it is too early for invitations to be extended to any candidates, it is not too early for candidates who expect to meet the eligibility criteria to publicly state their support for — and their intention to participate in — the Commission’s debates planned for this fall,” the statement from the networks said.
The first presidential debate of 2024 is scheduled for September 16, 2024, in San Marcos, Texas, at Texas State University. Two other debates would follow, and there would be one vice presidential debate.
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The letter reiterated that debate gives the public the ability to envision their future.
“If there is one thing Americans can agree on during this polarized time, it is that the stakes of this election are exceptionally high. Amidst that backdrop, there is simply no substitute for the candidates debating with each other, and before the American people, their visions for the future of our nation,” the statement said.
