CNN revealed new details about the rules for the upcoming 2024 presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. The debate will last 90 minutes with two commercial breaks, and candidates cannot interact with their campaign staff during breaks. No pre-written notes or props are allowed, but candidates can have a pen and paper to take notes. The debate will be held in Atlanta on June 27 without a studio audience.
The debate will be moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, who will enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion. Each candidate will have a uniform podium, and podium positions will be determined by a coin flip. CNN also stated that candidates must obtain at least 15 percent in four separate national polls and be on enough state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold in order to participate.
It was mentioned that independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could qualify for the debate as he has met the 15 percent threshold in three qualifying polls and is on the ballot in several states. However, it seems less likely that anyone other than Biden and Trump will meet CNN’s conditions for participation. The Trump and Biden campaigns have agreed to two debates, one hosted by CNN on June 27 and the other by ABC News on Sept. 10.
ABC News’ debate participation requirements mirror CNN’s, with candidates needing to meet certain thresholds in polls and ballot access. The two campaigns have bypassed the traditional process run by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) and arranged their own debate schedule. The CPD had proposed three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate on different dates, but both campaigns preferred earlier debates.
The commission defended its scheduling of debates, stating that the first debate on Sept. 16 would be the earliest televised general election debate ever held. It remains to be seen if other candidates, such as Cornel West, Jill Stein, and Chase Oliver, will meet the criteria for debate participation set by CNN and ABC News.
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