Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) praised former President Trump and President Biden’s decision to debate each other, but said he thought independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should also be included.
When Fox News’ Bret Baier asked Phillips about Wednesday’s announcement that the debates would be held in June and September ahead of the usual schedule, Phillips said he thought it was “hallelujah.”
“Debate is the vitamin of democracy. Brett, it wasn’t that long ago that for the first time in modern history, it seemed like there wouldn’t be a debate between the two major party candidates. So, it’s good,” he said.
“Do you prefer that the Commission on Presidential Debates continue to host bipartisanship and perhaps even include third-party candidates? Sure.” Phillips continued. “Because right now, 25 to 30 percent of the country is not planning on voting for President Biden or former President Trump.”
Still, Phillips said the agreement is a step in the right direction and he hopes that when controversies arise, they will talk about legitimate policies and not argue or talk over each other.
Biden’s campaign proposed two debates with Trump on Wednesday, going beyond committee and challenging the former president to his first debate since the two faced off in 2020. Trump skipped the Republican primary debates altogether and campaigned instead.
Trump accepted the offer to debate twice, in June and September, saying, “‘Let’s get ready for the Rumble!!!’”
Phillips, who launched a Democratic bid to oust Biden but failed to garner much support, said he wished Kennedy had been included in the invitation. Because Kennedy would have been a “thoughtful and engaging debater” on stage with Biden and Trump.
“The better the competition, the better. Brett and I see too many efforts to reduce competition rather than encourage it,” he said.
The debate was picked up by CNN and ABC. ABC announced that it would allow other networks to simulcast the debate, and Phillips said he thought this was a good idea.
“As I said, the more people who see the dialogue, debate and deliberations, the better. “I think that without it, democracy dies,” he said.
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