John,

While the repeat selection of Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump as their party's presumptive nominees may turn off many voters, it would be wrong to assume that we already know everything either of them would do if elected this November. In Thursday night’s debate, they owe it to the American people to be candid about their vision for America's future.

I'm reaching out to encourage you to tune in at 9:00 pm ET this Thursday for the first GOP Presidential debate. Make that your plan now and stick to it!

These may be the same two candidates, but this isn't the same election as 2020 being played all over again. Think of the differences, with the rapid emergence of new technologies, the nation's recovery from the COVID pandemic, the wars in Ukraine and Israel, Trump's serious legal issues, the violence at our nation's capital on January 6, and the state of America's economy. It’s a very different election, in fact a very different and more dangerous world.

When I think about all of this, I’m more convinced than ever that this is the most important presidential debate since 1980 when Ronald Reagan had to convince Americans that he was up to the job, especially when it came to foreign relations.

If you don't watch the debate live and make your own judgement about these two individuals...if you instead watch short clips prepared within the silos of the influencers you follow, you will be seeing a version of reality that has already passed through the lens of someone else's bias.

You owe it to yourself as an American citizen and someone who is concerned with our country's future to watch this debate and make your own judgments.

Will one of these candidates have their moment in this debate and really break away from expectations? Time will tell, but it's important that we all stay engaged in our democracy and give each candidate a fair chance to make their case. The best way to do that is to watch Thursday and hear what they have to say.

I look forward to speaking with you again soon to share with you my thoughts about the debate.