Former President Donald Trump's campaign refused to schedule a debate with presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Breitbart reported. The campaign said it would be "inappropriate" to do so until it becomes official.
After an abysmal performance in his only debate against Trump this campaign, President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he was giving up on his reelection bid. He immediately endorsed Harris as his replacement, but nothing becomes official until the Democratic Party nominates her.
Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung explained that this has led to the decision to hold off on confirming a debate. "Given the continued political chaos surrounding Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, general election debate details cannot be finalized until Democrats formally decide on their nominee," Cheung wrote in a statement Thursday.
"There is a strong sense by many in the Democrat Party — namely Barack Hussein Obama — that Kamala Harris is a Marxist fraud who cannot beat President Trump, and they are still holding out for someone ‘better.’ Therefore, it would be inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds," the statement said.
Harris is certainly Biden's pick, but many felt that she would be on shaky ground until she received the blessing of former President Barack Obama. The fact that he took his time doing so had likely caused Harris to panic in the meantime.
Sources close to the matter said that Obama was reluctant to do so and was shocked by Biden's decision to name Harris as his replacement. Obama was reportedly not convinced that Harris would be able to win in this contentious election.
Still, Barack and Michelle Obama finally gave their nod to Harris in a video released Friday, Fox News reported. Of course, it was a full five days after Biden made his announcement.
"I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala: I am proud of you. This is going to be historic," Michelle Obama told Harris in the call that was clearly scripted.
"We called to say Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office," Barack Obama chimed in after the former first lady. Even with their formal endorsement, Harris has a way to go.
Having the Obamas' support is certainly a positive sign that Harris will be the Democratic Party nominee. Yet it isn't a done deal until the official nomination process wraps up.
The standard process would be to move toward an open convention next month when the Democratic Party convenes in Chicago. However, recently approved changes will allow for a virtual roll call that could come as early as Aug. 1, CBS News reported.
The call will only happen if Harris remains unchallenged. If anyone wishes to go against her, they must have 300 delegates sign an online petition by July 30 to be considered for the spot. If not, Harris could be named the candidate through the virtual option.
Even with this momentum behind her, the Trump campaign is still wise to wait for the process to play out. In the meantime, Harris is getting the full treatment from the establishment media to prop up the unpopular vice president as the next president.
When the time comes, Trump will have no trouble crushing Harris or any other candidate in the debate. However, the time has not yet come as the Democratic Party still works out Biden's replacement.
