When the question over whether or not former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden will debate, one of the only things that can come to mind is President Ronald Reagan’s infamous quote at his own debate in 1980: “There you go again.”

On August 14, news broke that 12 news organizations have urged both presumptive presidential nominees to agree to debates. This news came after many outlets, such as the Associated Press, wrote articles discussing how campaigns, namely Biden’s, have repeatedly declined to commit to joining debates with Trump.

On the other hand, Trump declined to partake in any of the earlier debates this year as his outlook was that he was his party’s presumptive nominee, and the focus of the party should be to beat the opposition. 

Now, the former president has been calling out his rival, Biden, demanding that debates take place after all of his opponents within the Republican Party have dropped out of the race. 

However, many people like me have been dreading any potential debates between Trump and Biden. This is because the memories of the 2020 presidential debates are still fresh in the mind, and the potential for what is to come is both horrific and as embarrassing as inviting two uncles who constantly feud to Thanksgiving. 

Looking to the past, Trump hurt himself in 2020 at the first presidential debate as many viewers, according to NPR, found Trump’s finger-pointing at Biden overwhelming and brash, with questionable statements about the Proud Boys being adverse to any positive points he made. 

Biden has also proven to voters that the debates will be intriguing. Namely, due to his age, he has had many gaffes which leave voters puzzled. From his comment about Laken Riley at the State of the Union leaving voters confused about who “Lincoln” Riley is, to the bike or stairs mishaps, it is clear that the vigorous and lively Biden of the past has checked out or is completely missing in action. 

With this being said, there are also many positives that voters can look forward to in any potential debates to come, as both candidates have had some positive moments since the last time meeting on stage in 2020 which can leave voters hopeful for what is to come if the debates happen. 

Trump is still as naturally vigorous in front of cameras as he has always been. From his many energetic rallies to his on-camera appearances in the wake of many impending trials, he has a fire under his kilt that is motivating him to be one of the best versions of himself that voters have had the opportunity to see. 

Additionally, Biden has moments where he appears to be the sage grandfather of the nation as opposed to a geriatric lunatic that many GOP voters have perceived him as being in the past. For instance, he led Democrats in 2022 to win despite the “Red Wave” that was promised, gaining a seat in the Senate and keeping House Democrats standing strong together when contrasted against the current state of House Republicans. 

Both presidential candidates have massive positives and negatives, and these are all components that will be present should the two candidates meet on a debate stage over the summer or shortly before the November election. 

However, there is nothing set in stone as of right now. There are no debates, just talk of debates from Trump and dragging of the heels from Biden. Again, these are both positives and negatives as Biden could easily switch the narrative and say he is waiting for the debates to come when voters demand it, not his opponent. This is something that can damage Trump, as he can be seen as being too eager to take shots at Biden to score points that won’t have lasting effects in November.

However, Trump can also be perceived as holding the best interests of the nation at heart in the face of Biden’s lack of accountability on issues like inflation, the southern border crisis or unrest in Europe and the Middle East over multiple conflicts and wars. 

Right now, the ball is in Biden’s court, and he is likely trying to take advantage of this unlikely opportunity to force Trump to make a play that would damage himself. 

Hypotheticals aside, a productive take on the issues of incoming debates is that America’s laundry will be hung out to dry. Right now, we are a divided yet unified nation, and by putting the two individuals who are promising to solve the problems of unrest in the political ring of a debate stage, we might actually get solutions and come to a common consensus about the forward trek of our nation. This is something that has always happened and will continue to happen.