I don't think he could get away with refusing the debates.
If he were to debate Newt even once, any form of debate, then he is toast. Zero has nowhere near the skills to face Newt and everyone knows it. The only out is to refuse debates, the MSM will give whatever cover is needed.
This is not a debate against someone like McCain, he can handle a bumbler of that sort. This would be a nightmare for him...he is a coward, no way he will face it.
Yep. An d I relish the chance to see him put his nose in the air and give a smug grin when he spouts something a 4th grader would be embarrassed about, then get soundly b-slapped by his rival debater. Un til the idiot voters of the Left see how stupid their guy is (as a President trying to keep his job vs. the first campaign, and after the mess he has caused), and are forced to defend him, we are still up the creek.