New ads calling Trump ‘afraid to debate’ to follow him on campaign trail

WASHINGTON – The Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) newest advertising campaign, launched on Aug 2, taunts Republican bet Donald Trump for not committing to a debate with Vice-President Kamala Harris and is set to follow him on the campaign trail.

The DNC has purchased large advertisements that dominate the digital home pages of major local newspapers in states where he plans to campaign in coming weeks.

The advertisements say “the convicted felon is afraid to debate” and question whether that is due to his stance on abortion.

The first advertisements are running on the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s home page ahead of Trump’s visit to the city on Aug 3.

He

emerged a clear victor from his June 27 debate

with President Joe Biden, whose faltering performance renewed voters’ deep concerns about his age. The two agreed to a second debate on Sept 10.

After

Mr Biden dropped out of the race on July 21

and backed Ms Harris, Trump said on July 25 he would not be in a debate with her because she was not the official candidate.

He added that former president Barack Obama had yet to endorse her as proof of lack of support for her bid. A day later, Mr Obama endorsed her.

Recent polls show a tight contest between Ms Harris and Trump, who enjoyed a bigger lead over Mr Biden after the first debate.

Trump has suggested the Sept 10 debate on ABC News should be moved to Fox News.

Last week, in a phone call with reporters, he was asked if he would commit to a debate with Ms Harris at least once. He responded: “Oh, yes, absolutely. I’d want to”, and he added that there was an obligation to debate.

In an interview on July 29, Fox host Laura Ingraham repeatedly pressed Trump on whether he would commit to a debate.

“The answer is yes, but I can also make a case for not doing it,” he said.

The issue has become a rallying cry for Ms Harris. At a campaign rally on July 30, she urged Trump to think again.

“I do hope you’ll reconsider. Meet me on the debate stage… because as the saying goes, if you’ve got something to say, say it to my face,” she said.

On Aug 2, Trump said he did not need a debate because he was leading in the polls and voters already knew where he and his Democratic rival stood on issues.

“Well, I want to,” he said on Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria. “Right now I say, ‘Why should I do a debate?’ I’m leading in the polls, and everybody knows her, everybody knows me.” REUTERS