'Political checkmate': Trump camp lauded for not committing to VP debate citing uncertainty over Democrat nominee

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump's campaign announced on Wednesday, 17 July that it would not commit to a date for a vice presidential debate.

The campaign cited uncertainty about who would be on the Democratic ticket as the reason for this decision.

Donald Trump's campaign cites uncertainty over Democratic VP nominee for debate

As the talk of the debate surfaces, and Vice President Kamala Harris already having accepted the invention for debate and Sen JD Vance noting its importance, senior Trump campaign advisor Brian Hughes said it was not committed yet. 

“We don’t know who the Democrat nominee for Vice President is going to be, so we can’t lock in a date before their convention,” Hughes said in a statement.

Hughes further elaborated, “To do so would be unfair to Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, Gretchen Whitmer, or whoever Kamala Harris picks as her running mate," The Hill reported.

President Joe Biden's campaign had earlier on Wednesday confirmed that Kamala Harris had accepted an invitation from CBS News to participate in a debate against Trump’s running mate, Vance (R-Ohio), on Aug 12 or Aug 13.

CBS News had also extended an invite for a debate on July 23, though this date seemed unlikely due to its proximity to the GOP convention.

Donald Trump's running mate Sen JD Vance states importance of vice-presidential debate

In an interview on Tuesday, JD Vance noted the importance of the public seeing him debate Kamala Harris.

“Obviously we want to debate Vice President Harris because it’s important for the American people to see the contrast,” Vance told Newsmax at the Republican National Convention.

“And by the way, President Trump’s, I think, roundhouse kick in the first debate is part of the reason why you have Democrats in total disarray right now,” he added.

“It is really the contrast between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats are actively trying to throw their nominee under the bus," he added.

Even as CBS News had invited both campaigns for a vice-presidential debate, and the Biden team confirmed Harris could participate, the Trump campaign, reportedly had expressed a preference for Fox News to host it, a proposition the Biden campaign dismissed.

Despite this, the Trump campaign is leveraging the ongoing debate within the Democratic Party about whether Biden should continue as the nominee to delay committing to a summer debate.

Internet reactions as Donald Trump's campaign delays VP debate date commitment 

On Monday, Joe Biden's campaign affirmed Kamala Harris's readiness to debate Sen JD Vance following the announcement of his selection as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick.

“I can tell you right now that the vice president is fully prepared to take him on,” Biden campaign spokesperson TJ Ducklo told reporters.

Meanwhile, the internet is abuzz with all sorts of reactions as the Trump campaign doesn't commit a VP debate date. The users supporting Republicans suggest it is a smart move while Democrats say Vance can't stand debating Harris.

"A sly move to highlight the disarray in the Democratic Party," wrote one on X (formerly Twitter).

"That is one hell of a political check mate," wrote another.

"D knows he can’t hang with her," commented another. "Makes perfect sense - why schedule a debate if the candidate may change?" noted one user.

"Well played," and "Savage" were few comments while one wrote, "He's afraid of her. As he should be"

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