Why would there be a debate between the two candidates from each party before either has formally captured the nomination for president at their respective national conventions in the summer?
That has never happened before. Why now? There is absolutely no reason to do this, other than test President Joe Biden.
Biden wisely used former President Donald Trump's cockiness against him by getting Trump to agree to have a super early debate. It does nothing good for Trump, or anything that could not be achieved in the fall debates.
Trump must realize that he can and will beat Biden if given the opportunity. The question is: Will he be given the opportunity? Democrats have thrown their candidate under the bus before. Just ask "President" Samuel J. Tilden (see the Compromise of 1877 over the Tilden-Hayes race for president).
The problem for Trump, as polls suggest, is that he would lose to any generic Democrat candidate not named Biden - including Tom, Dick, or Harry/Harriet.
The reason for the debate is simple. Democrat Party leaders want to make Biden realize that he must leave the stage. After all, at this point in 1968 we had no idea who the Democratic nominee for president was going to be. So, it is not too late in the process.
If Biden performs poorly on the big stage in June, that would allow Democrats to smoothly select a new candidate.
Imagine if the only debates would occur at their normally scheduled times (in September and October). If Biden was incapable or made serious errors during those debates due to the onset of dementia or a related illness, it would hand the election to Trump.
Democrats would then see what Independents, Republicans, and even some Democrats have been observing for months. Biden is not capable of being president today. He would be increasingly unable to lead the country for an additional four years as he would be pushing into his mid-80s.
The running mate aspect of the ticket is also in question. Vice President Kamala Harris is one of the most unpopular vice presidents in history (surpassed only by Spiro Agnew who resigned after admitting to a felony and Aaron Burr, who, as you will remember, killed Alexander Hamilton). Harris is proving to be an undesirable option.
Is there precedence? Yes.
Former President Lyndon Johnson's experience to a degree mirrors Biden's. Due to failed strategies, the Vietnam War was raging with no end in sight. Protests broke out against the war on college campuses. We had a major military build up to fund the war. At the time, Johnson did not perform as expected in the Democratic primaries. His polling numbers were also declining.
As a result, Johnson shocked the nation when he announced very late in the political season that "he would not seek or accept the nomination of his party."
Oh, I forgot to mention that he was being challenged by a guy named Robert F. Kennedy. Hmmm...
Does anyone see the similarities here as history repeats itself?
I will spell them out:
For starters, Biden has Robert F. Kennedy Jr. contesting him. He has had declining polling numbers. Biden's performance in uncontested primaries has been underwhelming. He has not one war but two that he is fending off, both with no end in sight. In one, a miscalculation - say American-made missiles fired at Moscow, could lead to War World III. In the other war that Biden is "managing," his policies have sparked college uprisings reminiscent of the anti-Vietnam War demonstrations.
And we have fed our industrial-military base more billions than ever. Kicking to hell the old desire to match butter and bullets in government spending.
Oh, let us not forget the host location for the Democratic convention in 2024. Yes, you guessed it, Chicago - the same choice Democrats made in 1968. You really cannot make this stuff up.
Another president with a similar profile to Biden's did seek reelection. And that is the reason Democrats are really scared. Former President Jimmy Carter faced a hostage situation in the Middle East, high inflation, and high interest rates. Does it sound familiar, Mr. Biden?
Carter lost in a landslide election to Ronald Reagan. The latter got the hostages out of Iran. Is there anyone who does not believe that Trump would not be able to do the same per our current hostage situation in the Middle East.
You may not like Reagan or Trump, but one thing is certain: Both were never bullied or ignored.
In deference to the health and age of Carter, enough said. I think you get it.
Also, the failed Carter presidency resulted in the longest Republican run in the White House in a century. GOP candidates for Congress, including myself, used as "kryptonite" the campaign mantra "tax and spend liberals" against all Democrats. It was like saying "Mufasa" per the Lion King - it made Democrats shiver while winning votes for Republicans.
Depending on Trump's VP candidate, 12 years of GOP control of the White House could be repeated.
Let us remember, Carter was the last Democrat to lose a re-election and the only president since the 19th century to do so. Johnson was the only Democrat to not seek re-election. Biden could be on course to follow one of these presidents.
So, bring on the debates. Biden has had trouble reading from a teleprompter of late. Thus, a debate should be interesting.
Maybe now you are starting to see why I am above 50% on Biden not being the nominee for the Democrats. But as my wife would remind me, I have been wrong before.