Trump requests for rescheduling instead of virtual debate [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The campaign team of President Donald Trump has requested the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) to delay the two remaining debates so that they can be held in person.
• The president’s campaign slammed the CPD’s decision to change the format of the debate to a virtual approach following his COVID-19 diagnosis.
• Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s camp is opposing the idea of delaying the debates.

President Donald Trump’s campaign is asking the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) to reschedule the two succeeding debates by a week later and to hold them in person instead of proceeding with a virtual debate.

As Trump recovers from the coronavirus, his campaign has complained about the commission’s announcement that the second debate to be held next week would be virtual.

The president said he will not be cooperative in such a virtual style of debate.

In a recent statement, Trump’s camp said that he would join the succeeding debates if they will be held in person and will be moved to a week later.

“As President Trump said, a virtual debate is a non-starter and would clearly be a gift to Biden because he would be relying on his teleprompter from his basement bunker,” said Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien. 

Stepien argued that the debate should allow voters “the opportunity to directly question Biden’s 47-year failed record of leadership.”

“The CPD and the media cannot hide Joe Biden forever,” he continued. “Americans deserve to hear directly from both presidential candidates on these dates, October 22 and 29.”

Trump’s campaign team claimed that they were not informed by the commission when it converted the in-person format to a virtual approach. In a statement, Stepien criticized the move, accusing the commission of protecting Biden.

“It remains extremely suspect that the CPD announced the brand new virtual format at 7:30am ET today immediately after Vice President Mike Pence had just wiped the floor with Senator Kamala Harris. Clearly the commission wanted to shift attention away from Pence’s complete victory,” Stepien said.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden dismissed the motion to reschedule the debates.

“Donald Trump doesn’t make the debate schedule; the Debate Commission does. We accepted the three dates — Sept. 29, Oct. 15, and Oct. 22 — in June,” Biden’s campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said. 

“Trump chose today to pull out of the October 15th debate. Trump’s erratic behavior does not allow him to rewrite the calendar, and pick new dates of his choosing. We look forward to participating in the final debate, scheduled for October 22, which already is tied for the latest debate date in 40 years. Donald Trump can show up, or he can decline again. That’s his choice.”

Biden’s campaign also argued if the October 15 debate would not be a town-hall debate as scheduled, then the next debate (which is on October 22) should adopt the town-hall format.

Usually, the commission aligns with both campaigns to finalize the rules and formats of the debates.

The Hill has requested the CPD for a comment.

Source: The Hill