Former Gov. Doug Wilder on Thursday criticized President Joe Biden over his role in the apparent cancellation of the Oct. 1 presidential debate at Virginia State University.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin also weighed in on social media, calling it "a huge snub to VSU and the citizens of the Commonwealth."
On Wednesday, Biden’s campaign notified the Commission on Presidential Debates that he would not participate in its three scheduled fall forums at universities, including the debate at VSU.
Instead, Biden and former President Donald Trump quickly agreed to two debates, a June 27 faceoff to be hosted by CNN and a Sept. 10 debate hosted by ABC.
The nation’s first elected African American governor wrote on his Wilder Visions blog that after the nonpartisan commission selected VSU to host a presidential debate on Oct. 1: “there was great excitement and appreciation expressed by the VSU and African American communities throughout Virginia and indeed the nation.”
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“Yesterday, representatives from the Biden administration made the unfortunate decision to cancel this debate,” wrote Wilder, who served as governor from 1990 to 1994. “It rings hollow that this historic event will no longer take place. WHY is the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) selected for a debate forum being excluded? Who made this decision? One would assume that it was made by Biden directly, as well as setting the overall number, location and time of the debates.”
Wilder wrote that Virginia will play a key role in the presidential election “and it is extremely foolhardy for any candidate to take any votes for granted.”
He said Biden should accept the opportunity to debate Trump at VSU, writing: “I would say to President Biden, if you choose Virginia State University, Donald Trump CANNOT object.”
When asked for comment, the Biden campaign did not specifically address Wilder’s concerns. But it underscored Biden’s support for historically Black colleges and universities, noting more than $16 million in federal funding and investments in HBCUs between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2024.
Biden is scheduled to give the commencement address Sunday at Morehouse College in Atlanta, a prestigious HBCU in a key swing state.
Youngkin, a Republican, posted on X Thursday afternoon that the president "is turning his back on students, Virginians and the nation because he can’t defend his failing policies."
The Biden campaign is refusing to participate in a historic general election presidential debate at @VSU_1882, a great university and HBCU. Joe Biden is turning his back on students, Virginians and the nation because he can’t defend his failing policies. Huge snub to VSU and the…
— Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) May 16, 2024
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican and a potential candidate for governor in 2025, also called on the president to debate Trump at VSU.
“I hope Joe Biden doesn’t cancel the commission’s fall debates,” Miyares posted on X. “Virginia State University, and this community, should host a presidential debate, as planned.”
“VSU is a great HBCU that should be showcased for the nation!”