comments/comments_1b2jfh5.csv

comment_id,post_id,post_title,body,score,created_utc
ksmd7x9,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Answer:

In 1987, the two main U.S. political parties established the Committee for Presidential Debates to ensure voters would have a chance in each presidential election cycle to hear candidates' views, plans, and platforms in a moderated, ideally-fair way.

In the 2016 and 2020 presidential races, Donald Trump repeatedly responded to debate criticism by claiming that moderators and critical pundits were biased against him and the GOP. As he gradually took hold of the party, other Republicans in support of him echoed these claims of bias and unfairness.

In April 2022, the Republican National Committee (RNC) [unanimously voted](https://npr.org/2022/04/14/1092916451/republicans-say-theyre-quitting-the-biased-commission-on-presidential-debates) to leave the CPD, twice calling the Commission ""biased"" in a two-sentence statement. In doing so, they required that Republican candidates could only appear in committee-sanctioned [primary and general election debates](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/republican-party-withdraws-us-commission-presidential-debates-2022-04-14/).

During the lead-up to the 2024 Republican primaries, Trump did not participate in any debates, and the RNC [stopped sanctioning debates](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/08/rnc-officially-bows-out-of-hosting-primary-debates-for-now-00130857) in December 2023.

Since the RNC has withdrawn from the CPD and has shown no indications they will sanction a debate between (almost certain nominee) Trump and Biden, there is no guarantee the two will debate. The ABC article linked in the main post quotes Trump as saying that ""even if it was organized by [the CPD], I would do as many debates as they want"" -- whether his nonparticipation in the primary debates affects the veracity of that statement I will leave to the decision of the reader -- and quotes Biden's campaign manager as making a noncommittal statement.

But the reason it's not guaranteed to happen is because of the RNC's withdrawal from the CPD in 2022. A general debate could happen but the RNC would have to sanction it.

*(EDIT: fixed a broken link)*",4552,2024-02-29 00:21:23
kslyyl1,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Answer: debates between candidates used to be a pro forma nod to the idea that oratory in an assembly is an effective way to arrive at an understanding of the spectrum of ideas, and an opportunity for an individual to make a case for a position so that listeners can make decisions.


They've devolved to the point that the candidates are given almost no time at all to present a position, and they use the debate as an opportunity to heckle and dig at each other. At times they seem more like a multi-way celebrity roast than a debate. When they're not doing that, very often they're finding ways to address questions other than what was asked, because they know their position is unpopular.


Trump has upended the tradition, as he has so many others, because he won't even adhere to the basic form. He interrupts, talks over, and lambastes the other candidate(s). Or doesn't show up at all.


So at this point each candidate weighs whether participating is likely to help or harm their campaign,. Knowing the news media talking heads will immediately pronounce ""winners"" and ""losers"" of the debate based on who got in the best zingers means candidates are vulnerable. More and more, it makes sense to skip it.",1536,2024-02-28 22:54:20
ksmkpmq,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,Thanks for taking the time on that one!,691,2024-02-29 01:08:29
ksm05xy,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,">More and more, it makes sense to skip it.

Esp. when it's two candidates who have both served as president. It's pretty clear what we're getting this time around.",626,2024-02-28 23:01:16
ksn3s1c,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"I'd love to see them [""empty chair"" a debate.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empty_chair_debating) Just have Biden at one podium answering questions then cut to the podium where Trump should be standing. 

I honestly don't think Trump's ego could stand to be made fun of like that.",537,2024-02-29 03:06:52
ksmuqhc,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"This reply saddens me, because it is very useful to people...because it contains the same information included in the article, which it seems that neither OP nor most of the commenters took the time to read.

Good answer. Sad that it's necessary for some reason.",376,2024-02-29 02:11:49
kslxl9s,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Answer: donald tump gets embarrassed and loses his shit when confronted with the easiest of pushback to his bullshit so he does not want to do them anymore.

Did you notice how he skipped all of the republican primary debates?",311,2024-02-28 22:46:34
ksmnmez,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Looked it up as I was unaware (appreciate your letting me know) -- the woman who sent Clinton debate questions was not the moderator, but was a CNN (who hosted that debate) contributor and later became head of the DNC (but resigned just before the '16 election when her tipping off Clinton was leaked). And as you said, that was a DNC primary, not a national debate; while that might affect 2016, that doesn't play into 2020.",294,2024-02-29 01:26:50
ksnjhme,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,I feel like if OP just read the article they themselves posted they would get the same info.,271,2024-02-29 05:02:41
ksmnnmf,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"That was a DNC run debate, not CPD.",226,2024-02-29 01:27:02
ksnktzy,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Honestly, most website news articles are almost impossible to read with the amount of popups and spam and consent forms so I would always choose this format.",216,2024-02-29 05:14:01
ksngatr,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Clint Eastwood tried that at the Republican convention, better in theory than in practice.",214,2024-02-29 04:36:57
ksm81zl,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Answer: We aren't even in the general election season yet, debates between GOP and Dem candidates typically begin in September. OP's article is just speculation. 

However, Trump has refused to debate in the GOP primary election race this contest either. He currently has the GOP on lock, participating in a debate (party or against the Democratic candidate) will only bring to light his progressing dementia, lack of actual substance in his plans and policies, and general inability to communicate when it's not to a crowd of adoring sycophants. Debating for the primaries or general will only hurt his electability.",199,2024-02-28 23:48:59
ksmrk3w,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"There is no ""objective"" under fascism. You're either with them or against them.",190,2024-02-29 01:51:40
ksp8syz,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Or hell, bring on candidates from third parties. If the RNC wants to fade from obscurity, let a more sensible platform take the limelight.",182,2024-02-29 14:48:49
ksm04df,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Especially since the dementia has clearly advanced. Dude can barely throw together a half-coherent rant anymore, can you imagine him debating with any somewhat competent politician or public figure?",126,2024-02-28 23:01:01
ksmbtkc,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,But I'm shocked Trump doesn't want to show up by himself just so he can ramble about how much of a cowardly loser his opponent is. Seems like free publicity.,118,2024-02-29 00:12:35
ksmlfj5,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,[deleted],101,2024-02-29 01:13:01
ksmwkiq,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,">the woman who sent Clinton debate questions was not the moderator, but was a CNN (who hosted that debate) contributor and later became head of the DNC

She was also the sitting DNC Vice Chair at the time she did that.  It was really terrible optics, as it got her fired from CNN and promoted at the DNC",98,2024-02-29 02:20:40
ksmfb2v,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,[deleted],95,2024-02-29 00:34:34
ksmci3c,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"As soon as one shows up, the other would be obligated, even if it means changing their answer. If they both skip, no one has to deal with any of it. 

Game theory advises to skip, even if the other party skips first.",94,2024-02-29 00:16:54
ksmz5qk,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"I don't think his base is very perceptive.  He has said countless things that are at least as nonsensical as someone with dementia would say.  

Like I always tell people when they point out Biden not speaking well:  ""Biden's speaking problems are just misspeaking... Trump's are sourced from thinking problems.""",93,2024-02-29 02:36:31
ksng73b,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,Well you're really going to hate project 2025 which is their plan to infuse the government with Christian Nationalism which they've published and bragged about doing in the open.,76,2024-02-29 04:36:08
ksmfbkw,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,">Trump has upended the tradition, as he has so many others, because he won't even adhere to the basic form. He interrupts, talks over, and lambastes the other candidate(s). Or doesn't show up at all.

Not just Trump. The GOP debates this year also went off the rails from the very start. And it was heading in that direction before Trump as well.

I think the corporate ""hosts"" (NBC, FOX News, PBS and whoever else) are culpable for debates' collapse in respectability. They should have fixed these issues as they arose, and there should have been penalties of some kind to keep things in line and running smoothly. Perhaps it's at the feet of the DNC and RNC too. Trump not showing up to debate the other GOP candidates this year is a slap in the face of the RNC, for example.",75,2024-02-29 00:34:39
ksnl6fq,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Answer:  While others answered the primary issue, there is a secondary one.  Part of the reason the RNC withdrew from the debates is they wanted moderators who would not question Trump's obviously untruthful claims.  Trump considered both debates in 2020 with Biden, and all the debate in 2016 to have had biased moderators.  He wanted debates with far right moderators which he did not get.  Biden meanwhile has no incentive to enter into a debate where conspiracy theories and outright lies will be expected.  Trump also wants to be able to cut Biden off when he speaks whenever he wants, something that the debates also did not agree with, and complained about during his Hillary debates.  In the Biden debates after the first one they threatened to mute him if he spoke during Biden's time.

So even if they did agree to debate each other, they likely will not actually debate because Trump considers all of the major networks, including Fox News, to be part of the liberal media and will not accept a moderator, nor will he agree to a civil debate where he cannot interrupt Biden during his time.  Biden meanwhile will not agree to a free for all debate again or one that has far right moderators like Tucker Carlson.",71,2024-02-29 05:16:57
ksohnrg,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"90% of posts on all ""ask questions"" subs are simply ""someone else Google this for me"". ",68,2024-02-29 11:18:06
ksp0xa3,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,Clint Eastwood lost a debate to the Chair With No Name.,68,2024-02-29 13:57:35
ksoloze,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"People that ask questions that are easily Googled are looking for a summary of information with a side of opinion and conversation. They aren't lazy or dumb, they just want to be able to discuss the information as it's presented to them by their peers. It's just a way to socialize or start a conversation like standing around the water cooler or break room at work...or school...or wherever.",65,2024-02-29 11:58:32
ksn73hi,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"I didn't know that. That is some of the dumbest shit I have ever heard of. I guess. maybe I am a Democrat, idk. The Republicans just seem like some really terrible people. I just feel like they want to control the shit out of us, and force the Bible down our throat. The Bible part really pisses me off the most though, because they just pick, and choose shit to fit their agenda. They are all like look! It is not okay to be gay! It says it here! Then there is all this shit in there about helping the poor. Proverbs 22:16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. Proverbs 22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. Christians never mention any of that shit though.",63,2024-02-29 03:29:36
ksm53fh,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,">Trump has upended the tradition, as he has so many others, because he won't even adhere to the basic form. He interrupts, talks over, and lambastes the other candidate(s). Or doesn't show up at all.

This is why the punchline from the last debate was ""[will you shut up man? This is so unpresidential](https://youtu.be/XF03SdCyfRI).""",63,2024-02-28 23:30:48
kslxqfc,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Yes but nobody should care what Trump said, since he is demonstrably full of shit. 

>In April 2022, the Republican National Committee voted unanimously to withdraw from the Commission on Presidential Debates -- a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that has sponsored and produced all presidential and vice-presidential debates since 1988.",63,2024-02-28 22:47:22
ksmy2xk,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,A shitty thing for the CNN contributor to do but not any indication of bias towards the RNC or CPD.,60,2024-02-29 02:29:30
ksmykiq,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Really? Just one bad experience, with no others, and you lost faith in the debate system?

This is why Trump won, they fall in line and Dems have to fall in love.

We don't have the time for another Trump. Try getting anything done THEN.",60,2024-02-29 02:32:42
ksmmbhp,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,I think the more likely alternative is that one of the expected candidates die or go to jail before then. I assume that’s why Haley is sticking it out. ,60,2024-02-29 01:18:37
ksmfaf1,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,He's been a broken record for 8 years. Same garbage all the time.,58,2024-02-29 00:34:27
ksmt081,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"As I recall it was one question sent to her unsolicited about a topic everyone already knew was going to be asked, not like it was some curveball that knowing about gave some advantage. The whole thing was just an excuse to run with the preconceived narrative everyone was running wild with on it being rigged. It had absolutely zero affect on the election. From the election truthers before Trump made it popular to an election truther.",57,2024-02-29 02:00:50
ksphoo7,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,Actually..... i kinda like this idea.,56,2024-02-29 15:41:27
ksme03l,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"I think Trump lost his “magic” after the 2016 election. He had so little energy and zingers during the 2020 election and I continue to hear little from him.

I think he’s old and tired and his old tricks don’t work for him anymore. Too bad his opponent is also old and tired",56,2024-02-29 00:26:20
kspeaz0,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,Thats like a lot 9f these questions asked here - it's like 'read this and give me the gist because I'm too lazy'.,55,2024-02-29 15:21:53
ksmmgpz,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"They'd still support it, probably repeat his nonsense even.",54,2024-02-29 01:19:32
ksmuddm,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Is this the same base who has been defending Trump despite the fact that he clearly broke some very important laws?

Stealing classified documents and refusing to return them, and then trying to destroy the security tapes with evidence of the crimes. We've all heard the accounts and seen the pictures.

Attempting to overturn the legitimate results from Georgia, on tape that we've all heard.

And oh yeah, there was that whole insurrection that he led. We all saw him do it live on television.

A person who doesn't realize that stuff happened or doesn't realize it's bad for our country... How are they going to realize that Trump is showing signs of dementia? They don't have the mental tools for it.",53,2024-02-29 02:09:30
ksns28o,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Be that as it may, Reddit has always been about the comments.  It’s a discussion forum, and the headline acts as a prompt.

Articles were rarely clicked on in the age of PC’s.  Now in the age of smartphones, paywalls, and cookie pop-ups, people have been trained to click even less.  It’s usually not worth it.",50,2024-02-29 06:19:36
ksnni4u,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"This had no pop-ups, and at the very least had no new cookie options. It is also from a major news publisher which is less likely to have spamy ads. 
And none of this explains why someone would see that, copy the article link, and yet not read it themselves. ",48,2024-02-29 05:36:49
ksmgon8,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,I admire you for thinking other candidates still have a chance of winning the primaries.,47,2024-02-29 00:43:12
kso5j6d,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,TL;DR: The Republican National Committee got so embarrassed by their candidate’s performance the last couple times they rage quit the whole thing.,46,2024-02-29 08:51:14
ksm2jva,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Jesus christ, have you seen a video of tump speaking from the last 5 years? 

Sweaty, slurring speech, calling his mail order 3rd wife mercedes, not knowing the USA already won WW2, confusing pelosi and haley, claiming he can identify a whale in dementia exams like an accomplishment for the extremely stupid, wandering around the courtroom in confusion, he should really get the help he needs

Biden comes across as a noble statesman with admiration from years of public service, passing the most policies beneficial to all Americans, fixing the covid mess, dealing with complex foreign situations. Hate him all you want, but he is incredibly sharp for his age",46,2024-02-28 23:15:27
ksmn1og,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"You're overintellectualizing Trump. Biden has never expressed any aversion to debating, and has already obligated Trump to show up. 

But Trump is a populist and established institutions like this are establishment. Even if his opponents see him as being a thin-skinned little bitch, his fans will love it. It's the same reason he skipped the whitehouse correspondent's dinner and a boatload of other establishment stuff.

It is totally baffling to me that people don't get this routine by now. How many more times do people have to pretend this is something else. How much more data could we possibly need?",46,2024-02-29 01:23:11
kslzpmo,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"Answer: With all the dementia talk, people want to see if they can talk without a teleprompter.  That makes this year's Presidential debates more important than past years.  If the debates were cancelled, that would be an issue, and one side would accuse the other side.  Both of them have the option of refusing to debate, so the debates might be cancelled.  The article mentions RNC chair Ronna McDaniel.  I don't know who will run the RNC after she steps down March 8, and I don't know what the new leader will say about the debates.",44,2024-02-28 22:58:38
ksnl63s,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"The reply leaves out something incredibly important though

The claims of why the CPD was made is total bullshit.  It's politician spin pure and simple

Prior to the CPD the League of Women Voters hosted the debates.  They did an incredible job and were definitely unbiased. 

The two main political parties got pissed at them for refusing to disclose the topics, give exclusive TV rights, and many other reasons.  

LWV wanted truly genuine responses from candidates,  not rehearsed sound bites, and they wanted to be sure everyone had access to see the debates

The CPD was specifically created so that the two major parties could better control the narrative. 

Claiming it was to help inform voters in any way is pure spin",44,2024-02-29 05:16:52
ksmah3e,1b2jfh5,What is the deal with holding no presidential debates for the 2024 election?,"If there's anyone still on the fence at this point, they've been living under a rock for the past 8 years. Policy doesn't matter to one party, and the other has already made up their minds whether they're voting or not.",44,2024-02-29 00:04:03