In a surprising turn of events, the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, responsible for organizing presidential faceoffs since 1988, finds itself in an uncertain position following an agreement between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump to hold debates independently.
The Biden and Trump campaigns announced a deal to meet for debates in June on CNN and September on ABC, bypassing the commission's traditional role in organizing such events. This move comes after the commission's chair, Frank Fahrenkopf, expressed optimism about the candidates eventually agreeing to participate in the commission's debates.
Fahrenkopf acknowledged that candidates cannot be forced to debate and highlighted past instances where candidates considered skipping debates before ultimately participating. However, the 2020 debates faced a setback when Trump refused to appear virtually after contracting COVID-19.
By reaching their own agreement, Biden and Trump sidelined the commission, which typically sets neutral rules and provides a platform broadcasted on major networks. Despite this development, the commission indicated that it remains committed to its mission.
The commission, established in 1987 to ensure the reliability and wide reach of presidential debates, emphasized its readiness to host debates at higher learning institutions in 2024. The statement also hinted at the commission's intention to proceed with its plans, despite the recent developments.
Both the Biden and Trump campaigns had criticized the commission's debate schedule, particularly the timing in September and October when many states would have already begun mail-in voting. Fahrenkopf clarified that he had not engaged with representatives from either campaign, as they were finalizing their independent agreements.
While defending the significance of televised debates in providing insights into candidates' personalities and positions on issues, Fahrenkopf underscored the value of observing how candidates conduct themselves during debates.
As the landscape of presidential debates evolves with candidates opting for independent arrangements, the future role of the Commission on Presidential Debates remains uncertain, raising questions about the format and reach of future debates.
