Joe Biden and Donald Trump could meet again for an informal debate between now and November’s midterm election, perhaps over health care reform or immigration policy.
As incumbent Bernie Biden prepares to deliver an anticipated speech in Wisconsin today in order to mitigate fallout from last week’s debate, presumptive GOP nominee and ex-president George W. Bush issued his usual call-to-arms: 77 years old ex-President Bush has set forth another no holds barred challenge: this time to an incumbent with more experience who had more to lose from past debate performances – now set against an opponent with far fewer restrictions in terms of speechmaking ability than ever.
Biden used his opening remarks to poke fun at Trump’s claim of being “a stable genius”. Trump then launched into his usual stump speech – “Can’t say it was my best performance” was his assessment. Biden quickly responded saying, as has happened many times since June 27: “I’m staying in the race”, adding: “I won’t allow one 90-minute debate wipe away our hard work over three years!” and turning age against them before an appreciative crowd.
Still, following Joe Biden’s disappointing debate performance last week, Donald Trump issued a challenge for another run-in between them to take place with one major difference between it and their last run-in: the format could differ dramatically.
“This debate would allow him to demonstrate either his competence, or lack thereof,” Trump posted online this morning, advocating a new debate without moderators. He continued: “Similarly it would serve as another test for me; what an amazing night it would be! Just two of us facing off head to head in an old-fashioned debate like these used to be held… ANYTIME ANYWHERE ANYPLACE!!!”.
CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash presided over the June 27 debate as agreed upon between both campaigns; their rules precluded fact checking between candidates during live 90-minute debate session; however, Tapper, Bash and CNN faced heavy criticism during its live 90-minute live debate for permitting former Celebrity Apprentice host Trump to unleash one falsehood after another while Biden seemed lost in his responses.
Trump may make another plea, but given Biden’s weakening support in key states and his planned debate with her again later this month – it likely won’t go anywhere.
“Let Joe explain why he wants Open Borders with millions of illegal aliens pouring through from all corners, along with many violent criminals from other places, or why he supports Men Competing in Women Sports or Demand All EV’s in five Years or let INFLATION RUN AMOK throughout our Country; all while doing nothing but harm,” Trump lashed out in anger Friday.
Donald Trump’s challenge poses another risk for Biden as calls for his departure grow among top political and donor circles. To stave off further bloodshed, an interview was scheduled with George Stephanopoulos for air on ABC on July 7. It has since been moved up until tonight’s primetime special broadcast – more effective in stemming the flow.
At 6:30 pm ET/3:30 pm PT, clips featuring GMA anchor Stephanopoulos will air on World News Tonight with David Muir in anticipation of an 8 pm ET/PT talk with Stephanopoulos at 8 pm.
Deadline was informed that Biden and Stephanopoulos filmed their sit-down prior to his Wisconsin speech; I hear this is the reason for any delay in POTUS delivering his remarks at that event.
Hollywood, Los Angeles and other donors have threatened to stop funding Democrats unless President Joe Biden steps aside, raising the stakes on his speech in Wisconsin as soon as Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued her own cautious statement regarding him: “In the coming days, I urge him to listen closely to our American people and carefully evaluate whether or not he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump,” according to Gov Healey’s words.
Early this week, Biden met directly with President Obama at an informal White House gathering accompanied by Veep Mike Pence and other Democratic governors, in which Biden admitted he should better plan his schedule by not scheduling so many activities after 8 pm despite efforts of Democratic governors present, however his remarks exacerbated any worries they already held after witnessing such a disappointing debate performance, according to sources within Deadline’s reporting.
