CNN has announced detailed rules and arrangements for the upcoming presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, scheduled for June 27 in Atlanta. The network revealed that both campaigns have agreed to a set of parameters aimed at ensuring a structured and orderly debate.
The 90-minute debate, to be moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, will feature two commercial breaks during which campaign staff are prohibited from interacting with their candidates. Both Biden and Trump will speak from identical podiums, determined by a coin flip, and microphones will be muted except when it is each candidate’s turn to speak. The stage will not allow props or pre-written notes, but candidates will be provided with a pen, paper, and a water bottle.
One notable departure from previous debates will be the absence of a studio audience, though moderators will enforce time limits and ensure a respectful exchange. CNN emphasized that all rules were accepted by both campaigns following an invitation extended in May.
To participate, candidates must meet constitutional requirements for the presidency and file a formal statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. In addition, candidates must appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold and achieve at least 15% support in four national polls conducted by recognized organizations, including CNN, ABC News, and others.
While Biden and Trump comfortably meet these criteria, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, and Jill Stein, running on non-major-party tickets, face steeper challenges, particularly in meeting polling thresholds.
Kennedy has secured at least 15% in three qualifying polls and is currently on the ballot in six states, qualifying him for 89 Electoral College votes, but additional requirements remain to secure a spot on the debate stage alongside Biden and Trump.
The structured format aims to ensure fairness and adherence to debate guidelines, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be a critical showdown in the 2024 election cycle.
SOURCE: CNN
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