“Given the fact that “presidential debates” are nothing but a total construct of television, designed as a TV show around the delivery of “gotcha” questions and glib one-liners, why would President Trump bother to even attend?”
I would think that the President can determine the venues. Since CNN opened Pandora’s Box with Don Lemon as a moderator, I see no reason why Fox cannot host a Presidential debate or two with Hannity, Ingraham, Carlson as moderators.
Then you would think wrong. The Commission on Presidential Debates, a 501(c) non-profit corporation makes those decisions. The fact that it is a bi-partisan (UNIparty) entity should be reason enough to ignore it.
Everything about these "debates" is nothing but BS
TV “Debates” are not debates, never have been... they are media events... whether they are town hall, or “traditional” style... they are GARBAGE.....
Since they are literally manufactured garbage, that makes Trump’s bombastic style stand out.. He understands and knows what they are, and how to make sure he stands out in that environment, even when they stack the deck against him.