Now that the political parties have held their conventions, the next big date on the election calendar is Sept. 10, the only scheduled debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. If it happens, which is not a sure thing. Not since the days of Ross and Rachel has there been such a propitious “Will they or won’t they?” First, it was on. Then it was off. Then it was back on. Now Trump’s grumbling about the microphone situation, and even making noises about backing out of the thing altogether.

The Great Debate debate has taken on added significance since the meeting between Trump and Joe Biden ended up costing Gampy Joe a shot at a second term. Trump was certainly feeling his oats after that one, though Biden’s withdrawal had nothing to do with Trump’s performance and everything to do with the fact that he spent the entire performance looking like he’d just woken up on a planet whose name he didn’t know.

Now, with a new nominee at the top of the ticket, a nominee who has so far appeared immune from Trump’s dumb nicknames (Kamabla???) or any of his stupid insults (She turned Black???), Trump finds himself struggling and on the defensive. His best shot at turning around a campaign that appears to be flailing would, naturally, be on the debate stage. So why is he being all—and yes, I’m going to use the word—weird about it?

Some say he’s afraid. Sen. Elizabeth Warren told MSNBC’s Jen Psaki, “The felon is afraid of the prosecutor—and for damn good reason.” On CNN,........

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