TimisaMonster 31,073 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Washington (CNN) Donald Trump's decision to walk away from the next presidential debate because it was was set to be held virtually has thrown the future of all debates between the President and Democratic nominee Joe Biden into question, putting even more focus on how the Trump's positive coronavirus diagnosis is altering his reelection bid. After the Commission on Presidential Debates announced that the debate on October 15 would be held virtually due to coronavirus concerns, Trump told Fox Business that he was "not going to waste my time on a virtual debate." "I am not going to do a virtual debate," said Trump. The comments roiled an already contentious debate process and set off a back-and-forth between the Biden and Trump campaigns. Biden's spokeswoman swiftly said that they would have agreed to a virtual format for next Thursday's contest, but because the President had seemingly bailed, they urged the commission to make the debate scheduled on October 22 a town hall debate format. Hours later, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien said they would be willing to push the October 15 debate back a week and then move the third debate to October 29, just days before the November 3 election. But Biden's campaign rejected their proposal, with campaign spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield saying in response, "Donald Trump doesn't make the debate schedule; the Debate Commission does." "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," Bedingfield said. The move by the commission to make the next scheduled debate virtual was seen as needed by members of the debate commission given the uncertainty around the President's health. Politically, if Trump skips a debate, he'll be deprived of a platform that he needs at a time when his campaign is trailing in every national poll and in a number of key swing states. The first event was watched by more than 73 million people. Frank Fahrenkopf, head of the debate commission, told CNN that the commission spoke with both campaigns "just before" they announced that the second debate would be held virtually. "We did not consult with them," he said, adding that their decision is "supported by the Cleveland Clinic," the commission's health advisers. Biden campaign spokeswoman Bedingfield responded to Trump's refusal to participate by noting Biden would be happy to appear virtually, but said if the President declines to appear, the former vice president will hold a town hall elsewhere. Bedingfield also asked the commission to push what would have been a town hall style debate -- where actual voters ask questions -- to October 22 so that "the President is not able to evade accountability." "The voters should have a chance to ask questions of both candidates, directly," she said. Trump complained during the interview with Fox that a virtual debate would mean he would have to "sit behind a computer" in a virtual debate and the moderator could "cut you off whenever they want." But a virtual debate is not unprecedented -- the third contest between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy in 1960 occurred with both candidates in different locations. Stepien, Trump's campaign manager, accused the commission on Thursday of "unilaterally canceling an in-person debate" to help Biden and said the President will be holding a rally instead of attending the debate. "There is no law requiring any presidential candidate to debate. In fact, in 1980, Jimmy Carter, president of the United States, refused to participate in the first debate, but he did participate in the second debate," said Fahrenkopf. "So it is up to every candidate to decide whether they want to debate or not." The commission met on Wednesday to discuss the change. The group, made up of three co-chairs and 10 board members, voted unanimously to make the change, two members of the commission tell CNN. One member was absent and did not vote. Thursday's announcement by the commission came hours after Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris debated in person on Wednesday night, albeit separated by plexiglass. People close to Biden are elated with the current state of play around debates, feeling that Democrats are in a win-win position whether or not Trump decides to debate next week. The thinking goes like this: The first debate worked well for Biden, so they are fine with having another. But Trump fuming about a virtual debate because of his own coronavirus diagnosis plays directly into their messaging on his recklessness around the virus and, if the President doesn't backtrack, having no debate deprives the incumbent of a massive TV audience he needs right now. "Here is Joe Biden's thought process: He wants to do the debates. It was a big win for him in the first debate and any time Joe can stand on stage with Trump, it is good for Joe Biden," said Terry McAuliffe, a former Virginia governor and close Biden ally. "Biden is going to go on, and if Trump doesn't want to go ... We could not be in a better place on these debates." McAuliffe, who is also a CNN political commentator, said there is a sense that Trump won't stick with his no-debate position and will eventually agree to the virtual format. "Trump needs debates like he needs oxygen. He needs a Hail Mary. He is down everywhere," McAuliffe said. "Ultimately, I can't see him not doing it. He needs the exposure." The future of debates between Trump and Biden have been in question ever since the President's positive diagnosis last week. CNN reported on Monday that the commission was considering moving debates to a virtual format. "The Commission, including me, is certainly open to virtual operations of the debates, without question," said a commission member, who asked for anonymity to speak openly about forthcoming deliberations. Even before the vice presidential debate, however, members of the commission have been consumed by what to do about the upcoming presidential contests and said that whether the event happened in person or virtually centered on one thing: Trump's well-being. "It is all going to depend on the President's health," a commission member said before the vice presidential debate. "We have to plan like it is going to happen. ... If he is quarantined in the White House, they have a way to bring him" live to the hall. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/08/politics/second-presidential-debate-virtual/index.html Stream my new single, 💜"Heartbeat"💜, on Spotify! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilMonst3r 5,681 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Trumps team RN Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotDoctor 708 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Honestly let him throw his fits, if that means we get a town hall with the notoriety of the debates where all the attention is on Biden it's not a bad thing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brecht 7 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Bolsonaro went to zero debates and still won. I hope it will be different in America. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LateToCult 41,843 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 His team is terrified of putting his erratic ass on television for such a long time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill 31,812 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 10 minutes ago, Brecht said: Bolsonaro went to zero debates and still won. I hope it will be different in America. jailing the guy who was going to win the election tends to help also Former First Lady of the United States. Now card-carrying member of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimisaMonster 31,073 Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 2 hours ago, LateToCult said: His team is terrified of putting his erratic ass on television for such a long time Well he is still sick...I can't imagine him trying to talk for 90 minutes without coughing when he has told the whole world he feels amazing! Plus, I'm sure they know they aren't able to get him to keep his composure on stage...he is his own worst enemy and sinking his chances of winning. If he can do a rally...he could debate, so I don't see what his excuse is. Oh well...Biden is looking like the stronger candidate while the current one is losing his mind Stream my new single, 💜"Heartbeat"💜, on Spotify! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kattys 4,319 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Oh so he's afraid of turning off microphone What a joke. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimisaMonster 31,073 Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 18 minutes ago, Kattys said: Oh so he's afraid of turning off microphone What a joke. He always has to be the center of attention and clearly doesn't like to share a stage...he loves the sound of his own voice. These are all signs of narcissistic behavior Stream my new single, 💜"Heartbeat"💜, on Spotify! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACATL 2,127 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 He can’t cause the chaos he wants when his mic can be turned off remotely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabeoz 7,915 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 They’ve already confirmed Biden is allowed to do it on his own he just handed Biden 90 minutes of solo prime time on every news channel in the country when he’s already 10-16 points behind in about every poll. Is he trying to lose Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archduchess 2 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Bolsonaro did similar, not debating sometimes gives force for the controversial side cause it can't be contested Beware fellow americans Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabeoz 7,915 Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 19 hours ago, Archduchess said: Bolsonaro did similar, not debating sometimes gives force for the controversial side cause it can't be contested Beware fellow americans His opponent was also put in jail Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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