[Fury]

Re: 16 - I think the issue is that debate moderators have explicit bias (and I am not talking about being a registered Republican or Democrat).

Some formats can greater attenuate that bias and also the amount of control that a moderator exerts. Virtual is just such a format.

My concern has always been why did the Trump campaign agree to the debate moderators in the first place.

Anyways, given President Trump will not participate in a virtual debate, it’s now up to him to participate in a media event that provides as much exposure as possible.

[nathanbedford]

You might be onto something, Trump might have concluded that these debate formats with unfair moderators will cost him rather than reward him and this change of format is the perfect opportunity to cancel out.

I do agree with you that it is incumbent upon him now to seek another effective media format, especially giving his position With the Real Clear Politics average of polls.

I think it is worth noting that there are some straws in the wind that his polls have picked up lately, that would be nice but we have to wait and see