Midweek Mood Check: Trump and Harris Draw Fire

Over the past several weeks, major presidential candidates, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, have faced scrutiny over upcoming debates. The two candidates have never debated each other before.

Harris, who replaced President Joe Biden after his disastrous debate performance in June, has largely shied away from interviews or conversations where she might encounter pressing questions about her record. Critics contend that by keeping Biden in the race until after the primary, Democrats shielded Harris from the rigorous process of facing voters and holding up to their inspection. Similarly, Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who agreed to a vice-presidential debate on October 1, 2024, after early voting begins in multiple states, will not likely spend enough time in the spotlight for full accountability to the American people.

For Trump’s part in the drama, the 2024 presidential Republican nominee raised questions about whether he would attend an ABC debate he had already agreed to with Biden. Instead, he invited Harris, who accused him of cowering out of the first one, to join him in a debate hosted by Fox News.

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“I have agreed with FoxNews to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The Debate was previously scheduled against Sleepy Joe Biden on ABC, but has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, and I am in litigation against ABC Network and George Slopadopoulos, thereby creating a conflict of interest.”

Trump later retracted his initial comment and agreed to participate in three debates, including the one hosted by ABC. Harris has only agreed to one.

For this week’s midweek mood check, we reviewed data showing that the American people overwhelmingly support a debate to bring the candidates’ views to light. Of course, after nearly a decade, most Americans have already formed their opinions about Trump. They are unlikely to be swayed. Nevertheless, the data proves that voters still value civil discourse and do not believe candidates are entitled to their votes.

According to Rasmussen Reports, 71% of voters think Trump should engage in interviews with mainstream and conservative media outlets. A mere 12% disagree. Additionally, 63% consider it “very important” for Trump to debate Harris, and a majority believe there should be multiple debates.

Politics isn’t just a game for federal elites and lawmakers; it’s a responsibility shared by all of us. We, the People, choose who will lead this country, and anyone seeking that role must face our scrutiny. Americans are fed up with being sidelined, overlooked, and ignored. The rising demand for a debate highlights that voters are eager to engage in the electoral process. This is the essence of true self-governance, and we sincerely hope both candidates and parties will respond accordingly.