Opinion | The author's opinion does not necessarily reflect Sarah Palin's view.
CNN has introduced new rules for the upcoming presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Both candidates have agreed to the terms, which include a 90-minute debate with two commercial breaks during which the candidates cannot interact with their staff.
The candidates will stand at uniform podiums determined by a coin flip.
Microphones will be muted except for the speaking candidate, and no props or pre-written notes will be allowed on stage.
“Both candidates agreed to appear at a uniform podium, and their podium positions will be determined by a coin flip,” CNN stated.
“Microphones will be muted throughout the debate except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak. While no props or pre-written notes will be allowed on the stage, candidates will be given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water.”
The absence of a studio audience is a departure from previous debates, and moderators will ensure a civil discussion.
There is a possibility of a third-party candidate like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. participating if they meet specific criteria, including appearing on enough state ballots and polling at least 15% in qualifying polls.
“Some aspects of the debate – including the absence of a studio audience – will be a departure from previous debates. But, as in the past, the moderators ‘will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion,’ according to the network,” they said.
“All participating debaters must appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold to win the presidency and receive at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters that meet CNN’s standards for reporting. Polls that meet those standards are those sponsored by CNN, ABC News, CBS News, Fox News, Marquette University Law School, Monmouth University, NBC News, The New York Times/Siena College, NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist College, Quinnipiac University, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post,” CNN stated.
Trump has agreed to a seated debate format requested by Biden’s campaign for upcoming debates on June 27 and September 10, with no live audience present.
“I hear now we’re sitting at tables. I don’t want to sit at a table,” Trump said.
“I said, ‘No, let’s stand.’ But they want to sit at a table,” he said. “So we’ll be sitting at a table as opposed to doing it the way you should be, in my opinion, in a debate.”
“But they have [Biden] sitting at a table, so that’s not so good,” Trump said.
“But I agree to their requests because I want to debate him,” he said. “If [Biden] gets through the debate, they’ll say it was brilliant,” Trump noted further.
