Thomas Friedman writes today in the New York Times an excellent column on any possible, proposed debate, should it/they happen between Presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
First, Biden should declare that he will take part in a debate only if Trump releases his tax returns for 2016 through 2018. Biden has already done so, and they are on his website. Trump must, too. No more gifting Trump something he can attack while hiding his own questionable finances.
And second, Biden should insist that a real-time fact-checking team approved by both candidates be hired by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates — and that 10 minutes before the scheduled conclusion of the debate this team report on any misleading statements, phony numbers or outright lies either candidate had uttered. That way no one in that massive television audience can go away easily misled.
So simple. So intelligent. So true.
One has released his taxes. All recent Presidents and presidential candidates have. Mr. Trump should, as well, of course. There should be no question.
On the fact-checking? Who but either the insecure or those telling untruths should or would be against that?
Oh, yeah. Bring it on.
Do it, Mr. Biden. Do it, Joe. Make these two demands.
Let's watch him squirm.
