Several news organizations released a statement on Sunday urging presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump to "publicly commit to participating in general election debates."
As speculation grows about the possibility that the candidates may seek to avoid facing each other in such an environment, the statement adds that it's not too early for them to "state their support for — and their intention to participate in — the Commission's debates planned for this fall."
"If there is one thing Americans can agree on during this polarized time, it is that the stakes of this election are exceptionally high," reads a passage of the letter.
"Amidst that backdrop, there is simply no substitute for the candidates debating with each other, and before the American people, their visions for the future of our nation."
Trump campaign managers released a letter last week agreeing with the premise —the news organizations' statement was leaked days ago— and said they would want debates to take place "much earlier" than mid-September, when they're scheduled to begin.
Biden, on his end, said in March that debating Trump would "depend on his behavior."
Trump holds a slim advantage over Biden, according to Real Clear Polling's survey average. The former President holds 45.6% of the support compared to the current one's 45.4%.
Both candidates constantly trade public barbs but rarely address each other directly. Biden called Donald Trump the greatest threat to freedom and democracy in the country in a recent interview with Univision.
"Seriously. Donald Trump uses phrases like 'We're going to eviscerate the Constitution,'" said Biden about the former president's statements that if he wins the rematch in November he will "be a dictator from day one."
Trump, on his end, has primarily focus on immigration and criticized Biden's border policies, claiming unlawful arrivals are straining the country's resources and increasing crime levels.
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