Trump Urges Early and Expanded Presidential Debates with Biden

In a move to galvanize public engagement and ensure broader exposure to the candidates, Donald Trump's campaign is advocating for an earlier commencement and an increased number of presidential debates between him and President Joe Biden. The call, articulated by Trump’s co-campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita in a letter on Thursday, underscores the campaign's stance on the necessity of robust dialogue ahead of the election.

The Commission on Presidential Debates had initially slated three presidential debates and one vice-presidential debate to occur later in the year. However, Trump's campaign contends that this timeline doesn't align with the increasing trend of early voting. By the time of the first scheduled debate on Sept. 16, a significant portion of the electorate, estimated at over 1 million Americans, will have already cast their votes. This figure is projected to surge to approximately 8.7 million by the third debate on Oct. 9, rendering the proposed schedule belated, according to the campaign.

Advocating for a more accelerated debate schedule, Trump's advisors propose an augmentation to the number of debates to ensure broader coverage and engagement. They assert that the country “deserves” as many as seven presidential debates, drawing parallels to the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858.

Trump, who abstained from participating in any Republican primary debates, has expressed eagerness to engage in debates with Biden at the earliest opportunity. However, Biden's public commitment to these debates remains uncertain, with his stance hinging on Trump's conduct.

The letter from Trump's campaign arrives amidst ongoing speculation regarding the format and participation in traditional debates. The Republican National Committee's withdrawal from commission-sanctioned debates, coupled with criticisms of the commission’s practices, further underscores the complexities surrounding the debate landscape.

As the discourse surrounding the debates intensifies, both campaigns are positioning themselves for what promises to be a pivotal aspect of the upcoming election cycle. With the election drawing nearer, the calls for expanded and expedited debates highlight the significance of direct engagement and the democratic process at large.