Bringing up the fact that there wasn't likely going to be a debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump had some people turning their proverbial guns on Trump.
Biden isn't going to debate because his handlers won't let him. Even as he throws out challenges to Trump, we're likely going to see the challenge suddenly taken back and an excuse offered as to why that involves Trump not being worth debating...or something. As I wrote, the truth is that it's necessary to keep Biden from the debate stage because it could risk Democrat narratives more than it would risk Biden's reputation, which is already in the dirt.
But Trump is receiving heat for not debating too. His refusal to get on the debate stage with his primary opponents was something that many on the right didn't take kindly to, even if they did plan on voting for him. The debates were one of the biggest reasons many people voted for him in 2016, and many people wanted answers from Trump on various mistakes he made during his time at the White House.
It's completely understandable to want those things. I don't know anyone who doesn't want some questions answered.
But the simple reason Trump didn't debate is that, strategically, there wasn't any reason to. The Democrats were doing all of Trump's fundraising and PR work for him. Every attack, lawsuit, media report, and badmouthing from Democrat politicians gave Trump the goodwill of the people, especially as the Democrats fumbled everything from the economy to foreign policy.
The Democrats were Trump's best friend, they just didn't know it. Their spite for Trump fueled the people's acceptance of him thanks to their spite for the Democrats.
READ: Trump's Popularity in the Polls Might Not Be About His Popularity
Now Trump is the last man standing for the GOP, never having debated once. Yet, there is one debate he wants - and that's against Biden.
Once again, tactically speaking, this would be a great idea.
It's pretty clear that Biden has deteriorated mentally since 2020. He was already pretty bad then, but the stress of being at the center of the world stage hasn't done him any favors.
Trump getting Biden on stage would not only allow him to expose Biden's mental faculties as they are, but he'll also be able to run circles around Biden on various issues from the economy to the border and destroy those precious Democrat narratives in the process.
Trump had nothing to gain by debating Republicans. He has everything to gain by debating Biden.
The only issue is that Trump may have backed himself into a wall by pushing or a debate with Biden if Biden ultimately takes his challenge back. Since Trump refused to debate his GOP primary opponents, any attempt to paint Biden and the Democrats as cowards would be hollow in the face of Trump not engaging with challenges himself.
And to be clear, I still think this won't happen. I'm pretty sure Biden's team will make up any excuse not to put Biden on a stage next to Trump. As ridiculous as Democrats are, one thing they take very seriously is holding onto power. Tactically, debating Trump has no benefits.
An interesting reversal if ever there was one.
But, Trump's team should probably try to find ways to coax and encourage the Democrats to put Biden up on the stage that circumvents having to answer for Trump refusing to debate his own side. If his team can manage to do that, and he gets a shot at Biden, Trump's as good as victorious in November.
