During this week’s final forum, the Commission of Presidential Debates decided to mute the Presidential nominees’ microphones to provide each of them the opportunity to speak uninterrupted.
The mute button will be highlighted at the start of each 15-minute segment and during opening comments. After each segment, both mics will then be turned on to allow the candidates to debate.
The commission decided this change in rules after the first Presidential Debate that displayed frequent interruption and shouting.
The debate on October 22, in Nashville, was initially planned to be the third presidential debate with President Trump and former Vice President Biden. However, the commission canceled the second match after President Trump tested positive for coronavirus and declined to participate in the proposed virtual debate.
Earlier last Monday, the Trump campaign voiced their concerns over the possibility of a change of rules in the debate and allowing the microphones to be muted.
Despite the change of rules for the debate, Bill Stepien, Trump’s campaign manager, stated later on Monday that the President will still move forward and debate with Biden.
To quote, Stepien said in a statement, “President Trump is committed to debating Joe Biden regardless of last-minute rule changes from the biased commission in their latest attempt to provide an advantage to their favored candidate,”
The Commission on Presidential Debate is attempting to change the focus
Also, on Monday, the Trump Campaign voiced their concerns about the possibility that the commission is attempting to focus the week’s final forum on benefiting Joe Biden.
On a conference call, Trump’s campaign adviser, Jason Miller, told reporters that what was supposedly the topic on this Thursday’s debate was about foreign policy. However, the commission is trying to broaden the issues discussed.
Miller said the commission is “putting their foot on the scale” with this upcoming debate. He further stated that it was supposedly about foreign policy. The debate commission is trying to change the rules to make the debate about a whole host of different issues. Trump campaigns believe that this was the request of the Biden campaign.
Furthermore, Miller stated that the Biden campaign does not want to speak about Joe Biden’s support for endless wars, his aid in sending stacks of cash to Iran, and the fact that Joe Biden appears to be “compromised” by the Chinese government. To which he related to the money being sent to his son, Hunter Biden, in the story which was circulating online in the past few days.
Furthermore, Miller also summoned the New York Post report last week that told a story of Hunter Biden and his hard drive, which shows how Joe Biden was involved with his son’s business dealings in Ukraine and China, despite Joe Biden’s consistent denials.
Miller further stated, “The Joe Biden camp does not want to talk foreign policy. It is clear that the debate commission is bending over backward, trying to help the Biden campaign … They’re trying to move the goalposts just like they always do.”
