It makes sense for the Republicans not to take part in public debate. Why would they do that? They keep up the crazy and everybody loves it. They sure don't want to go public against somebody the Dems might have that may actually point out their failures. Without something like that they can just keep trashing the Dems who seem to not want to even try and do something about that. On top of that there is the media. They cover what entertain people, nothing more, nothing less. That being the obvious case they will also get most of the exposure as the Democratic message is not, really, all that entertaining.
America, obviously, just wants to be entertained - nothing more, nothing less. Republicans understand this, the Dems unfortunately haven't a clue. My hope is that they get one, actually get organized, sit down (or hire an ad agency) and, at least, start to define just what kind of messages they want to use, and speak with as close to one voice as they can get.
I know, when pigs fly!