03/02/1976
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
"I feel very strongly that the first debate should come a day or two after Labor Day."
"We cannot afford further delay."
"I look forward to the first one and each of the next three, and the sooner we get started, the better."
"The debates are designed specifically to give the American people the right to know that I stand here on a particular issue, and Mr. Carter stands differently."