Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump suggested Friday that he may not follow through with a September 10 presidential debate. Trump claims he is ahead in the polls and that the voting public already knows his views, in contrast to his new challenger, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump’s Debate Hesitation
On a Fox Business segment, Trump said of the potential debate, “Well, I want to. Right now, I say, ‘Why should I do a debate?’ I’m leading in the polls, and everybody knows her and me.”
Harris’s Challenge
Harris has been calling on Trump to follow through with the scheduled debate before Biden bowed out of the race and endorsed Harris as his replacement.
Biden’s Departure and Its Impact
During the first Presidential debate in June, Biden’s poor performance led to widespread speculation about his fitness for office and, eventually, his exit from the race.
Trump’s Strategic Challenges
Since Biden stepped out of the Presidential race, the Trump campaign has struggled to find the best line of attack and strategy against Harris. His attack on her race and accusation that she changes her heritage according to expedience are primarily out of favor with the electorate.
Harris’s Momentum
Harris also has significant momentum and excitement behind her campaign, more than Republicans were expecting, given the prior narrative that she was not well-liked.
Potential Debate Boost for Harris
This excitement could translate to a debate performance boost. Harris has impeded Trump’s alleged progress with Black voters and young people.
Polls and Fundraising
According to a new Rasmussen poll, this boost has narrowed Trump’s lead in the polls and infused her fundraising coffers with new cash.
Trump’s Uncertainty
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the entrance of a fresh and dynamic Democratic candidate to the Presidential race, the Trump campaign has remained noncommittal about whether he will participate in September’s debate.
Trump’s Conditions for Debate
Trump states that he will not commit until the Democrats formally nominate Harris at the Democratic National Convention later this month.
Trump’s Debate Strategy
While not definitively committing, Trump said he would “probably end up debating” Harris despite having a “case for not doing it.” Trump’s debate strategy has a long history. During the Republican primary contest earlier this year, he chose not to debate challengers. Instead, he often scheduled rallies and other large-scale events concurrently with the debate.
Past Primary Contests
Trump declined to debate South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley when she was the only remaining Republican primary contender. To justify his decision not to debate Haley, Trump cited his significant lead in the poll numbers, a strategy he is employing once again to hedge against debating Harris next month.
Trump’s Eagerness to Debate Biden
Trump’s willingness, and perhaps even eagerness, to debate Biden may have been due to Trump’s expectation that Biden would perform poorly in the debate and appear as the aged and diminished candidate he proved himself to be.
Questionable Justification
Trump was ahead in the polls when he debated Biden; therefore, his use of that justification for declining to debate Harris is questionable.
