Ideas Festival 2020: Should the President Debate Congress Quarterly?

John Delaney, former Maryland Congressman and 2020 presidential candidate, pledges to debate Congressional leaders four times a year to engage opposing view points, highlight facts, and promote honest discussion about national news. 

"What I’m calling for is for the President every 3 months for 3 hours on national television… to have a debate with the entire Congress," says @JohnDelaney. "Very similar to the question time that the United Kingdom and the Prime Minister do."

— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) May 13, 2019

"Politicians are being very dishonest with the American people and it’s put us in the position where it’s hard to find common ground," says @JohnDelaney on his debates proposal. "The American people would figure out who is telling the truth."

— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) May 13, 2019

"You have to be able to defend your positions and to respond to open criticism," says @JohnDelaney on his debate proposal. "It’s a test of fitness of the president, being able to have some mastery of all the relevant policy issues of the day."

— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) May 13, 2019