What's REALLY behind Biden's utterly pathetic debate gambit: SCOTT JENNINGS reveals how Joe's cynical scheme could backfire... and finally convince Democrats to kick HIM off the ticket

'Make my day, pal.'

In a surprise video release Wednesday morning, a swaggering Joe Biden - mustering his best 'Dirty Harry' impression – challenged his 2024 opponent to meet him with rhetorical guns drawn for two presidential debates.

'Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020,' Biden said. 'Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again.'

Well, yes, Mr. President. That's typically how American presidential elections work.

The two leading party candidates – and, perhaps, a third-party upstart – come together for public debates to earn the votes of the American people. 

But curiously, for months, the Biden campaign has been trying to avoid such a showdown.

Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, one of the president's closest confidants, as recently as February said that he found it, 'hard to imagine,' that a Biden-Trump debate would be, 'productive.'

On Wednesday, fomer House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated that she thinks a debate is a bad idea: 'I myself would never recommend going on stage Donald Trump.' 

So, why the sudden change of heart from the Biden side?

In a surprise video release Wednesday morning, a swaggering Joe Biden - mustering his best 'Dirty Harry' impression – challenged his 2024 opponent to meet him with rhetorical guns drawn for two presidential debates.

' Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020,' Biden said. 'Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again.'

The truth is that Democrats are in a full-blown panic. 

A drowning man will clutch at straws.

And here's where this gambit turns from desperate to downright pathetic. 

The New York Times released new polling on Monday showing Trump leading in five of the six swing states that will decide the 2024 election. Despite Biden's public pronouncements that be believes all the polls are wrong, his campaign obviously believes all the polls are right.

The Democratic Party is now willing to do anything to stop this election from slipping out of their reach – and the coach is calling for a 'Hail Mary' halfway through the first quarter.

To prepare the battlefield for Biden, his side has demanded a series of accommodations be met before Joe meets Donald to duel.

First, the debate must be held in a TV studio and not in front of a live studio audience.

That's understandable.

Trump thrives in front of a crowd (the former president recently drew tens of thousands to a rally in New Jersey) while Biden is often confused and distracted by them.

Trump thrives in front of a crowd (the former president recently drew tens of thousands to a rally in New Jersey) while Biden is often confused and distracted by them.

The New York Times released new polling on Monday showing Trump leading in five of the six swing states that will decide the 2024 election.

Recall how Biden performed under questioning by a handful of reporters after the release of that February Special Counsel report that labeled him a, 'well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.'

'My memory's fine,' he insisted, before referring to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as the 'president of Mexico.'

Second, the moderators must be empowered to mute the microphones of the candidates once their allotted speaking time has expired.

Again, I totally get it.

Imagine Biden having to explain why he shipped bombs and ammunition to Israel, before halting the arms, before re-starting the shipment again, all in a matter of weeks.

He'll be thrilled when his 30-seconds run out.

Third, the potential sponsors of the debate are effectively limited to CNN, ABC, CBS or Telemundo.

You'll get no gripes from me on this. CNN, my employer for on-air political commentary, smartly snapped up the first debate for June 27 vaulting the network into the presidential fray.

But one can't help to suspect that Biden wanted to keep one specific news channel on the sidelines. (Hint: It rhymes with socks)

Lastly, no third-party candidates can participate.

That means you, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

This demand will benefit both Biden and Trump, as they'd like to see any challenger that threatens to siphon away support be smothered in the crib. However, it is an ironic request coming from the party that claims to be the last remaining defender of democracy.

Lastly, no third-party candidates can participate. That means you, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

I'd rather have nearly anyone on my ticket besides the most unpopular vice president in modern political history.

Trump-world responded to this carefully curated debate scheme almost immediately, saying: Yeah fine, see you there. And while we're at it, let's tack a few more meetings on the calendar.

The Republican side is now proposing four presidential debates – and one additional vice presidential showdown.

For who can credibly argue that it's not important to hear from the Number Two's when the candidates are 81 and 77 years old? (I'd rather have nearly anyone on my ticket besides the most unpopular vice president in modern political history.)

So, as of this moment, there are two debates on the schedule.

But color me skeptical.

The June debate will be a high-wire act for Biden.

He currently has a 38 percent national job approval rating which is the lowest ever for an incumbent president at this point in their term.

If he comes out of that first debate looking weak and wobbly expect Biden to pull the ripcord on the second showdown and make up some excuse, like Trump is too mean or Joe has to wash his hair.

Then, there is one more distinct possibility that must be considered.

If Biden truly tanks in that June debate – look for the Democratic party to pull the ripcord on him!

The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place in Chicago on August 19.

They'd have six weeks or so to circle the wagons around an alternative Democratic presidential candidate and nominate them for president instead of Biden.

The Hail Mary is in the air.

Will Joe drop it?