The Biden campaign has agreed to a vice presidential debate between incumbent Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s yet-to-be-named running mate, setting the stage for a potential showdown ahead of the 2024 election.
In a statement on Wednesday, a Biden campaign official confirmed they have accepted an invitation from CBS News to have Harris participate in a televised debate against the Republican vice presidential nominee. However, the date remains undecided, with the network proposing either July 23 or August 13 as possibilities.
“The campaign official said all of the guidelines sent for the presidential debates would apply to the vice presidential contest,” the official told POLITICO. “They look forward to the Trump campaign accepting one of these dates so that the full debate calendar for this campaign can be set.”
The move by the Biden team puts pressure on the Trump campaign to not only select a running mate but also commit to the traditional vice presidential debate. As of Wednesday, Trump had not yet announced his choice for VP, keeping the identity of Harris’s potential opponent a mystery.
A spokesperson for the Trump campaign, granted anonymity to discuss the matter, acknowledged to POLITICO that they were aware of the CBS News invitation extended to both sides. However, the official did not indicate if they planned to participate or had a preference on the proposed dates.
“We knew about the invite but had yet to make a decision,” the Trump campaign official stated.
Vice presidential debates have been a hallmark of modern presidential campaigns, offering a spotlight for Running mates to promote their credentials while drawing clear contrasts with the opposing ticket on key issues. The events also serve as an opportunity to showcase each candidate’s preparedness for assuming the presidency if required.
The 2020 vice presidential debate between Harris and former Vice President Mike Pence drew nearly 58 million viewers across multiple networks – a record for a VP debate. It came amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with the two candidates separated by plexiglass barriers on stage.
While details are still being finalized, CBS News will likely use a format similar to the presidential debates, with a network anchor or journalist serving as a moderator to guide questioning. Issues expected to take center stage include the economy, abortion rights, immigration and America’s global standing following years of turbulence.
Holding a vice presidential debate requires advance planning and coordination between the campaigns and non-partisan organizations like the Commission on Presidential Debates. Traditionally, the VP nominees participate in just a single debate rather than the three held between the presidential candidates themselves.
For the Biden campaign, locking in a date provides certainty as they ramp up preparations for Harris to make her case for a second term. At 58, she remains a potential future presidential contender for Democrats.
Meanwhile, the uncertainty over Trump’s VP pick injects an element of mystery into the Republican strategy. His selection could offer clues about the themes and constituencies he hopes to energize ahead of the general election campaign.
However, Trump is known for his ability to deliver an “October surprise” with an unconventional or celebrity choice, as he did by tapping Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate in 2008.
With the 2024 race already shaping up as a bitter rematch between Biden and Trump, the vice presidential debate will be a rare opportunity for both campaigns to reset the narrative –– either by changing the subject or driving it home with greater force.