President Joe Biden and Donald Trump are slated to participate in a series of presidential debates in June and September. The first debate is scheduled for June 27 in Atlanta, Georgia, and will be hosted by CNN. This is a departure from the traditional format set by the Commission on Presidential Debates, as Biden has called for two additional debates. Both candidates have agreed to an ABC News debate on September 10.
Biden’s campaign made the initial challenge, with the president stating that Trump lost two debates to him in 2020 and hasn’t participated in a debate since. Trump’s campaign responded by accepting the invitation for the proposed dates, but also pushing for additional debates in July and August. They believe that more debates would give voters maximum exposure to each candidate’s records and future visions.
Biden’s campaign has outlined certain conditions for the debates. They suggest that the first debate should be hosted by a broadcast organization that has previously hosted a Republican primary debate in 2016 with Trump and a Democratic primary debate in 2020 with President Biden. The campaign also wants the moderator(s) to be selected by the host organization from their regular personnel to avoid any bias.
The Biden campaign has raised concerns about the structure of past debates, which they believe have been more focused on entertainment than a serious exchange of ideas. They argue that debates should not have disruptive audiences and should instead take place in a television studio with just the candidates and moderators. They also propose 1:1 debates, excluding independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and want firm time limits for answers to ensure an exchange of views rather than interruptions.
Both campaigns have expressed concerns about the timing of the debates organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates. They argue that the scheduled debates conclude after early voting has already started in some states. The Commission defends its selection of dates, taking into account factors such as holidays, early voting, and state ballot deadlines.
In addition to the presidential debates, the Biden campaign has proposed a vice-presidential debate to take place after the Republican National Convention in late July.
It is important to note that the parent company of ABC, which will host one of the debates, is Disney.
In conclusion, the upcoming presidential debates between Biden and Trump have deviated from the traditional format set by the Commission on Presidential Debates. Both candidates have agreed to participate in a series of debates, with Biden calling for additional debates and Trump accepting the proposed dates. The campaigns have outlined their conditions for the debates, including the choice of host organization and moderators. They also express concerns about the timing of the debates in relation to early voting. Overall, these debates will play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and providing voters with a chance to assess each candidate’s vision and plans for the future.
