Trump attended as many primary debates as Biden did. The difference is that the RNC actually held debates, because they were running a competitive process. The DNC just backed Biden as a matter of course. No consultation, no attempt to present options to voters, not even a token attempt at an open discussion. The primary was a procedural formality. That is what a coronation looks like. Trump, despite his many, many flaws, put himself forward and won the Republican primary. Not attending the debates was a dick move, but given his popularity with Republican voters, and his overwhelming victory at the end of the day, I find it unlikely that it would make a difference. Hell, there’s an argument that it might have hurt his chances.

I’m just saying that Walz’s position that the Democrats are a functioning party while the GOP is a cult rings a bit hollow. The DNC unwaveringly supported Biden as he was slurring his words and falling down stairs until he eventually quit due to not wanting to suffer an embarrassing loss. The GOP had their shit together while the Democrats were scrambling to replace their candidate. The fact that they seem to have avoided catastrophe doesn’t change the fact that they were the ones who steered themselves into catastrophe in the first place. A little humility wouldn’t be misplaced.