Mornin’ Politocadoes!
President Joe Biden and Ex-President Trump have agreed to a series of debates for the Presidential election. After announcing that the Biden campaign was not going to take part in the debates run by the Commission on Presidential Debates, a back and forth emerged between the Biden and Trump campaigns. The Commission on Presidential Debates-hosted events were cited as problematic by both campaigns, feeling that they were being held too late in the cycle, well after people had already done early voting.
Both campaigns accepted an invite from CNN for a debate on June 27th. This debate would be the only one prior to either parties’ national convention. Trump then pushed for two more debates in July and August. This instead turned into two more debates, one in September and another in October.
Well, it’s a little odd for the candidates to not accept the debates from the Commission on Presidential Debates. I’m sure it will be fine and there is no mystery.
But hang on a sec…what’s that sound? Wait who’s music is that?!
BAH GOD IT’S RFK JR
Interesting thing about the Commission on Presidential Debates is that candidates are allowed to participate if they manage 15% in support across five national polls. Kennedy is currently polling at 16% in a recent CNN poll and is on the ballot in four states and looking for ballot access in 38 more. His campaign claims that Biden and Trump are attempting to box him out with the new schedule of debates. Given enough time, Kennedy might have been able to get enough support for the traditional late Fall debates. Now that seems uncertain. Did the Biden and Trump campaigns know about this?
Well, maybe. The two campaigns held backchannel talks prior to the announcement of the schedules, so it’s not impossible, if a little conspiratorial. The reasons for bucking the Commission’s debates seem sound. Especially since both campaigns are actively endorsing early or mail-in voting. But there is a tinge of keeping out a spoiler. Why on earth would Biden agree to that, knowing full well that RFK is more likely to take votes away from Trump? It’s anyone’s guess. Maybe it was the only way to get Trump to agree to the debates after Biden called his bluff.
Having someone like RFK Jr on the stage is dangerous as it legitimizes his really wacky fringe beliefs. Though that ship sailed long, long ago by letting Trump up there. Nevertheless, there is that perennial perceived unfairness brought upon third party candidacies when the two bigger political parties get to determine the flow of the presidential campaign.
Welcome to Thursday! Please be excellent to each other in the comments. The Mayor McSquirrel Rule remains in effect. Something to keep in mind! Police are using digital data to prosecute abortion seekers, and Facebook and Google are helping them! Even if they are not legally required to do so, the tech giants will aid them in this since it’s technically *against the law*. Please be careful when looking for abortion providers or helping someone who is looking for that assistance.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues even if the emergencies end, continue to vaccinate using the latest version of the FDA approved vaccines by Phizer and Moderna. Even if you are vaccinated, please continue to maintain social distancing measures, wear masks in public areas in accordance with CDC guidelines in regard to your own vaccination status.
Also, according to recent polls approximately 50% of adults are not planning on getting their Covid-19 boosters. So please get them and older adults should also look to be vaccinated for RSV! It’s been difficult to get adults onboard with getting the RSV shots as it is. Remember that getting these shots could potentially keep thousands of Americans who do not have to be there out of the ICU this winter.
You must be logged in to post a comment.