President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to participate in two presidential debates, continuing a tradition dating back to 1960. These debates will be held before the usual fall matchups, with the first debate scheduled for June 27 on CNN, not organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates as in previous years. This marks the latest evolution in the history of US presidential debates, which have played a significant role in shaping the outcome of elections.
The first televised presidential debate took place between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960, without a live audience. Subsequent debates in the 1976 election onwards were held in front of live audiences instructed not to make noise except for the beginning and end of the debate. These debates have been credited with influencing the outcome of elections, with Kennedy’s performance in 1960 and Ronald Reagan’s strong showings in the 1980s contributing to their victories.
The upcoming debates between Biden and Trump will be historically early, setting the tone for the final months of the 2024 campaign. Both campaigns have accepted invitations for debates on June 27 and September 10 on different networks, bypassing the Commission on Presidential Debates. The commission had announced dates for three debates scheduled for September and October, with the Republican National Committee withdrawing its participation citing concerns over biased moderators and debate timing.
Despite the Republican National Committee’s withdrawal, the commission had announced dates for three presidential debates in September and October. The Biden campaign explained its decision not to participate in the commission’s debates due to concerns over the structure of the debates, their timing in relation to early voting, and the failure to enforce rules in the 2020 debates. The CNN debate will be held without a studio audience, which was a condition outlined by the Biden campaign.
Biden and Trump are expected to be the only candidates participating in the debates, with Independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. not meeting the qualifying criteria for participation. Kennedy, who has sought to debate the major candidates, accused them of colluding to keep him off the stage. In the commission era, only Ross Perot in 1992 was a non-major-party candidate to take part in debates. The upcoming debates will be key opportunities for the candidates to reach millions of American voters, with record viewership expected following the trend from past debates.
In conclusion, presidential debates have played a crucial role in US election history, shaping public perception and influencing voter decisions. The upcoming debates between Biden and Trump will be closely watched by millions of Americans, setting the stage for the final months of the 2024 campaign. While there are concerns over the format and organization of the debates, they remain one of the most significant events in the electoral process. The decision to hold early debates and bypass the Commission on Presidential Debates reflects the evolving nature of political campaigns in the modern era.
