Trump Called ‘Donald Duck’ by Chris Christie during Second GOP Debate
News Outlets Urge Presidential Nominees to Commit to Election Debates
Twelve news organizations have called on the presumptive nominees for president – President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump – to commit to participating in the scheduled 2024 general election debates in a joint statement made on Sunday. The news outlets emphasize the importance of the candidates debating with each other and before the American people in order to present their visions for the future of the nation.
A Rich Tradition of General Election Debates in American Democracy
General election debates have played a vital role in every presidential election of the past 50 years. These debates allow tens of millions of people to witness the candidates debating side by side and competing with their ideas for the votes of American citizens.
Major News Organizations Join the Call for Debates
Around a dozen outlets, including ABC News, The Associated Press, CBS News, CNN, C-SPAN, FOX News Media, NBCUniversal News Group, NewsNation, Noticias Univision (Univision Network News), NPR, and PBS NewsHour, have signed the joint statement calling for the nominees to participate in the debates. Their support highlights the significance of these debates in the democratic process.
Prominent Historically Black College to Host Presidential Debate
In a historic announcement, Virginia State University (VSU) in Petersburg, Virginia, will host a presidential debate, becoming the first historically Black college or university to do so. The debates are scheduled to kick off at Texas State University in San Marco, Texas, on September 16, with the second debate at Virginia State University on October 1. The final debate before the 2024 election will take place at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 9.
Campaign Calls for Early Debates
Donald Trump’s reelection campaign has formally requested the Commission on Presidential Debates to move up its fall schedule. The campaign emphasized Trump’s willingness to debate anytime, anyplace, and anywhere, stating that the time to start these debates is now. In response, the Biden campaign accused Trump of playing politics with his request.
Commitment to Publicly State Support for the Debates
The joint statement from the news outlets also emphasizes that candidates who meet the eligibility criteria should publicly declare their support for the Commission’s debates scheduled for this fall. Although invitations are not yet extended to any candidates, the news organizations urge that it’s not too early to start planning for these crucial discussions.
Overview of the 2024 Election Debate Schedule
The three presidential debates, organized by the non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates, are scheduled to take place on the following dates and locations:
- September 16: Texas State University in San Marco, Texas
- October 1: Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia
- October 9: University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah
These debates will provide an opportunity for the candidates to engage in a critical exchange of ideas and appeal to the American voters.
