Since last night’s mockery of presidential debates, the Biden campaign shot down the notion that they will not participate in the two scheduled debates in Miami and Nashville next month.
Biden Deputy Campaign Manager Kate Bedingfield said only that the campaigns were in ongoing talks with the debate commission and “I would imagine there would be some additional conversations” going forward.
Chris Coons, a top Biden surrogate, said it was not obvious that Biden should participate in upcoming debates, and that the message of the candidates was not articulated in what happened on Tuesday night.
“It was very hard to follow what was being said, and President Trump showed not just disrespect to the moderator, but to the American people who tuned in trying to figure out what his plans are,” Coons said. “The point of the debate is for the American people to make a decision, informed by hearing from the two candidates on what’s your record, what are your values? Joe Biden came prepared to respect the American people. Donald Trump did not.”
Simon Rosenberg, a former senior consultant for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Biden’s campaign should seek rule changes for the next two debates, on Oct. 15 and Oct. 22, saying “moderators should have the ability to cut off his mic and split screens should be limited. Let them talk to the American people without the other facial expressions and interruptions registering.”
Team Trump celebrated the debate and reserved their criticisms for the debate moderator, Chris Wallace.
“Chris Wallace jumped in too often to save Biden from himself when he had backed himself into a corner or couldn’t come up with an answer,” said Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh.
People close to Trump said he was “jubilant” exiting the stage, thinking he was the biggest dog in the junkyard, but other Republicans were worried his aggressive approach would turn off any undecided voters, particularly women who are tired of chaos.
The next debates are set for Oct. 15 and Oct. 22. Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris square off on Oct. 7.
Complete story is at Politico.