WASHINGTON – Three debates for subsequent yr’s presidential general election are set to be held in college towns in Texas, Virginia and Utah between Sept. 16 and Oct. 9, with the lone vice presidential debate taking place in between in Pennsylvania — even though it continues to be noticed whether or not the Republican nominee will take part.
The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates introduced Monday that presidential applicants will first be scheduled to satisfy Sept. 16 at Texas State University in San Marcos, south of Austin. The vice presidential debate is scheduled 9 days later at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Presidential debates planned for Virginia State University in Petersburg on Oct. 1, and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Oct. 9, spherical out the agenda forward of Nov. 5’s Election Day.
“The United States’ general election debates, watched live worldwide, are a model for many other countries: the opportunity to hear and see leading candidates address serious issues in a fair and neutral setting,” CPD co-chairs Frank Fahrenkopf and Antonia Hernández said in a statement. “This tradition remains unbroken since 1976. In 2024, students at our four debate sites will help bring another set of historic conversations to audiences here and abroad. And their campuses will anchor four unique chances to listen and learn.”
The nonprofit CPD was established in 1987 and has sponsored every general election presidential and vice presidential debates since. It does not receive federal funding or financial support from any political party or campaign.
The announcement comes despite the Republican National Committee mulling rules changes that would force presidential candidates seeking the party’s nomination to sign a pledge saying they won’t participate in any debates sponsored by the CPD.
Such a boycott would shake up the foundations of the way presidential elections have been conducted in the country for decades — though former President Donald Trump ‘s refusal to take part in primary debates whilst in search of his celebration’s 2024 nomination makes such shifts most likely more straightforward to consider.
The RNC threatening not to participate comes after years of tension between the RNC and the commission, which has been exacerbated by Trump. As president, he repeatedly accused the commission of unfair treatment and ultimately refused to participate in the second 2020 debate after objecting to it being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter to the commission last year, RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel voiced frustration with its response to several party complaints, including concerns about its selection of moderators, a desire for a debate before early voting starts and a push for changes to the commission’s board.
The commission responded to that letter by saying in a statement that it deals directly with candidates who qualify for participation in its debates, rather than the national leadership of each party.
“The CPD’s plans for 2024 will be based on fairness, neutrality and a firm commitment to help the American public learn about the candidates and the issues,” it said at the time.
The RNC did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
The national Democratic Party has not clashed with the commission. Still, as he runs for reelection, President Joe Biden ‘s marketing campaign has but to touch upon whether or not he would debate Trump.