Pelosi: I Would Never Recommend Biden Go on Stage with Trump

HENDERSON: “— Donald Trump, who’s just going to throw everything at the wall?”

BASH: “Well, on that note, I want you guys to listen to what Nancy Pelosi told our Manu Raju after hearing about these debates.”

[Clip starts]

Pelosi: “I myself would never recommend going on stage with Donald Trump, but the president has decided that’s what he wants to do. I think the format he is suggesting is a good one. I think you all should have separate townhall meetings with them, let them challenge them with questions about the future and let the public make its decision.”

[Clip ends]

BASH: “As you were saying.”

HENDERSON: “Yeah, I think that’s right. That’s an idea. Do you sort of elevate Trump? Do you give a platform to his many, many lies about everything by debating him but I, you know, to Jeff’s point, he is the incumbent president.”

ZELENY: “You’re right. I asked an aide about that, like isn’t this risky. They’re like, look, not debating is even riskier because it looks like he’s hiding out, looks like he’s not up to it. And again, the president, I’m told, and I believe, I don’t think this is spin, he wants to debate. He’s competitive. He wants to show that he’s better, but they think not debating is worse than showing up and having some type of a melee.”

BARRON-Lopez: “Yeah, I mean, they’re desperate for that contrast. And they are aware of the fact that a lot of voters either — and especially young voters don’t necessarily remember Trump’s presidency.”