Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) said on Tuesday that the campaign wanted to debate Vice President Harris after the Biden campaign said this week that she was prepared to go head-to-head with him.
“Obviously we want to debate Vice President Harris because it’s important for the American people to see the contrast,” Vance said in an interview with Newsmax at the Republican National Convention.
“And by the way, President Trump’s, I think, roundhouse kick in the first debate is part of the reason why you have Democrats in total disarray right now,” he added. “It is really the contrast between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats are actively trying to throw their nominee under the bus.”
CBS News invited both campaigns for a vice-presidential debate, and the Biden team has confirmed that Harris could participate in a debate either July 23 or Aug. 13. However, Donald Trump’s campaign has said it wants the debate to be hosted by Fox News, something the Biden campaign has thrown cold water on.
On Monday, the Biden campaign said Harris was ready to debate Vance following the news that he was tapped as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick.
“I can tell you right now that the vice president is fully prepared to take him on,” Biden campaign spokesperson TJ Ducklo told reporters on Monday.
Still, Democrats remain in limbo, as some members of the party have urged Biden to withdraw from the race following a disastrous June 27 debate performance that underscored concerns over his age and mental fitness, raising questions about Harris’ fate and if she could be a potential replacement.
Biden has remained adamant and has repeatedly said he has no intentions of stepping down.