The Commission on Presidential Debates is standing firm on its schedule for the 2024 debates despite requests from Donald Trump’s campaign to hold them earlier. The CPD has selected dates for the debates that take into consideration factors such as religious and federal holidays, early voting, and when states close their ballots. They have stated that their first debate will be held on Sept. 16 and that any participant must have a chance of winning the Electoral College. The CPD has defended its schedule and criteria for selecting debate dates.
The Trump campaign has been pushing for earlier debates to accommodate early voters but has faced resistance from the CPD. Despite sending a letter requesting earlier forums, the campaign did not receive a response until recently when the CPD confirmed that the debates would continue as scheduled. Trump advisors have criticized the CPD’s schedule which includes debates on Sept. 16 in San Marcos, Texas, Oct. 1 in Petersburg, Va., and Oct. 9 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have threatened to hold a debate without the CPD if necessary.
The CPD has refuted claims that the schedule does not allow for early voting, stating that only two states allow for early voting before the first scheduled debate on Sept. 16. The commission has defended its decision to hold the debates at the selected times and locations, arguing that they have taken early voting rules into consideration. The CPD remains committed to its schedule and criteria for selecting debate dates, despite pushback from the Trump campaign.
Trump advisors Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita have continued to criticize the CPD’s schedule, claiming that it begins after early voting has already started. They have called for debates to be held earlier than ever before to ensure that the American people have the opportunity to hear from both candidates before casting their ballots. The advisors have urged television networks to extend invitations to host debates to the Trump campaign, with or without the CPD’s involvement. They have emphasized the importance of allowing voters to hear from the candidates before the election.
The CPD has responded to the Trump campaign’s criticisms by reiterating that their schedule was carefully planned to accommodate early voting rules in every state. They have emphasized that the debates will begin on Sept. 16, before early voting starts in all but two states. The commission has defended its decision not to move the debate schedule and has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the debates are accessible to the American public. Despite the ongoing back-and-forth between the CPD and the Trump campaign, the commission is standing firm on its schedule and criteria for selecting debate dates for the 2024 election.
