I agree. Traditionally, the clear favorite NEVER agrees to a debate. You might lose and that'll hurt you at the polls. OTOH, if you win, what have you gained? You were already winning. So why expose yourself to that risk? OTOH, the underdog ALWAYS demands a debate for precisely that reason. This debate is a bad idea.
You are wrong. Kerry will be forced to take a position on real issues if he debates the Pres. Every time Kerry attempts to define his position on issues, his numbers go down.
Kerry does not connect with the American people. This will be glaringly obvious in a debate.