President Biden and Donald J. Trump have agreed to two debates, one on June 27 on CNN and one on Sept. 10 on ABC News, marking the first face-to-face clashes between the former president and his successor in over three years. The agreement, announced through social media posts, injects a new energy into the campaign that had been stagnating. Both candidates are confident that a debate appearance will sway voters in their favor.
Mr. Biden proposed the debates to take place earlier than scheduled by the Commission on Presidential Debates, inside a TV studio with automatic microphone cutoffs. He insisted on a one-on-one format with just the candidates and the moderator, excluding any outside participation. The Trump campaign’s response to these proposed rules remains uncertain.
The exchange of proposals and responses between the two campaigns indicates a mutual interest in bypassing the debates commission and excluding certain participants. However, there is no clear mutual agreement on all terms. Mr. Trump announced a third debate on Fox News, but the Biden campaign rejected this offer.
President Biden’s campaign chair emphasized the importance of the agreed-upon debates and the need to move forward without further delays or disputes. The back-and-forth negotiations culminated in acceptance of debate invitations from CNN and ABC News by both candidates.
The decision to hold early debates was seen as strategically advantageous for President Biden, who aims to reverse his declining poll numbers and sway voters in his favor. The Trump campaign, on the other hand, is eager for more debates to expose what they perceive as Mr. Biden’s weaknesses.
The Biden campaign’s decision to bypass the debates commission and set its own rules for the debates reflects a lack of trust in the commission’s ability to enforce fair and professional conduct. By sidelining the commission, the Biden campaign gains control over the debate format and audience participation.
The proposed rules for the debates include strict time limits, alternating speaking turns, and criteria for selecting hosting networks. Both campaigns continue to express their views on the importance of debates in influencing voters’ decisions and shaping the narrative of the election.
Amidst all the debate planning, independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized the exclusion of third-party candidates from the debates, arguing that it undermines democracy. The Biden campaign’s focus remains on ensuring a fair and balanced exchange of views during the debates.
The ongoing negotiations and disagreements between the two campaigns underscore the significance of the upcoming debates in shaping the outcome of the election. Each side is determined to present their candidate in the best possible light through these face-to-face confrontations.
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