Donald Trump has managed to avoid any public scrutiny of his extreme positions by refusing to debate. If the debates are to be meaningful, that has to change. But how?
By reframing the questions to include his positions. The candidates who show up should be encouraged to discuss them. Here are some examples:
- From all indications, Donald Trump wants to force Ukraine to capitulate to Putin by cutting off aid. Do you agree with that?
- Trump has also indicated on occasion that he thinks America should withdraw from NATO. Would you do that?
- Trump has said many complimentary things about Xi and Putin. Do you agree with him?
- Trump clearly believes that human rights issues should be put on a back burner in our relationships with China and Russia. Do you agree?
- Trump has suggested on occasion that he would exchange support for Taiwan for a better trade deal with China. Would you do that?
- From published reports, it appears that Trump wanted to bomb Iran during his last days in office. Under what circumstances would you do that?
- Trump wants to impose a 10 percent across-the-board tariff on all imports. That would be a huge tax increase on average Americans and would alienate our allies. Do you agree with that?
- Do you support the Trump plan to further cut corporate taxes?
- Trump has said recently that he wants to try again to repeal and replace Obamacare. Would you do that?
- Trump has said many times that he wants to send American special forces into Mexico to kill producers and sellers of illegal drugs. That would be opposed by the Mexican government and would result in America being at war with Mexico. Would you do that?
- Trump has stated very clearly that he plans to direct the DOJ to prosecute his political opponents. Do you think that is appropriate?
- Trump has called his political opponents “vermin.” Do you think the roughly 50 percent of Americans who vote for Democrats are vermin?
This approach puts Trump front and center during the debates. If he won’t show up to defend himself, the other candidates would be in a position to punish him.