text:  This debate was the Biden campaign's idea. This was their proposal. This was their framework. This was their rules. They wanted to do this early in the election cycle, earlier than we've ever seen a general election debate before the conventions, before they're even the nominees, because they wanted to shake up the race. They wanted people to start paying attention. They wanted to try and quiet some of the criticisms about Joe Biden and show Americans that he is ready to do this for four more years.