The organization that manages presidential debates says there will be changes made “to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues” at future debates this season.
The Commission on Presidential Debates released a statement Wednesday following the first presidential debate held in Cleveland.
The debate has been called “chaotic” and hard to follow. Trump’s frequent interruptions of the Democratic presidential nominee defined Tuesday night’s debate, with Biden frequently unable to complete a sentence.
The commission makes it clear the debates are “for the benefit of the American electorate,” and they “will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly.”
One of those changes will include cutting off a candidate's microphone if they violate the rules, according to CBS News.
EXCLUSIVE: @CBSNews has learned the Commission on Presidential Debates plans to issue strict new rules in the coming days that include cutting off a candidate's microphone if they violate the rules, per an informed source.
More tonight on the @CBSEveningNews
— Norah O'Donnell 🇺🇸 (@NorahODonnell) September 30, 2020
Moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News pleaded with Trump several times to allow Biden to speak uninterrupted, to no avail.
In their statement, the commission thanked Wallace, saying they are “grateful to Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night’s debate.”
The Commission on Presidential Debates sponsors televised debates for the benefit of the American electorate. Last night’s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues. The CPD will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly. The commission is grateful to Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night’s debate and intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates.
The commission is a nonpartisan group that has organized every general election presidential debate since 1988.
The next debate is between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris on October 7 in Salt Lake City. The next presidential debate is on October 15 in Miami.
