In a call for the presumptive nominees to engage in a general election debate, the media organizations cite ‘exceptionally high’ stakes for the American people.
More than a dozen major media outlets released a statement this morning asking President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump to commit to a presidential debate.
“If there’s one thing Americans can agree on during this polarized time, it is that the stakes of this election are exceptionally high,” the joint April 14 statement states. “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 Associated Press, CBS News, CNN, Fox, News Nation, USA Today, ABC, NBC, PBS, NPR, and C-SPAN are among the media outlets that released the statement.
The call comes at the heels of baited comments former President Trump made at a campaign rally on April 13 in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, toward President Biden about debating him.
“I’m calling on Crooked Joe Biden to debate anytime, anywhere, any place,” he said, conjuring up a swell of cheers from supporters. “We have to debate because our country is going in the wrong direction so badly. While it is a little bit typical early, we have to debate, we have to explain to the American people what the hell is going on.”
President Trump made similar comments at his April 2 campaign speech in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “You can see we have an empty podium right here to my right. You know what that is? That’s for Joe Biden,” President Trump said.
At both appearances, to drive his point home, President Trump pointed to a mic standing holding a Trump-branded sign that read, “Anytime. Anywhere. Anyplace.”
He also stated at a Georgia campaign event that “it was for the good of our nation” for President Biden to agree to a debate.
The Biden administration, on other hand, have bucked calls for a presidential debate, citing concerns it would not be a “fair” bout given the uncertainty of who will host a matchup between the current president and former president in their bid for The White House.
