Debates Commission Vows to Make Changes Ahead of Next Trump/Biden Faceoff
WASHINGTON – The Commission on Presidential Debates said Wednesday it will consider changes to ensure the next two debates between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden don’t descend into chaos.
“Chaos” is among the more printable words pundits are using to describe Tuesday night’s initial debate between the two candidates, a meeting in which the president ignored the agreed upon rules and frequently shouted over remarks made by Biden and moderator Chris Wallace.
At several points during the 90-minute broadcast, both candidates simply hurled insults at each other.
Afterward, MSNBC anchor Brian Williams, speaking for many in the audience, said “What a dark event we have just witnessed.”
A moment later, he added, “A tip of the hat to Cormac McCarthy when we say ‘If that wasn’t a mess, it will do until the mess gets here.'”
Even on Fox News, which is ordinarily fairly charitable to the president, anchor Bret Baier wondered “if America maybe lost on the substance at the heart of the issues.”
In the end, what transpired Tuesday night is more than the Commission on Presidential Debates, the bipartisan body that helps plan and execute the quadrennial meetings between presidential and vice presidential contenders, is willing to bear.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon the commission said it 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,” it said.
The commission went on to say that it will be “carefully considering” the changes that it will adopt and will announce those changes shortly.
It also expressed its gratitude to Wallace “for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night’s debate,” adding that it “intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates.”
