PHOENIX (AP) — The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which has planned presidential faceoffs in every election since 1988, has an uncertain future after President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump struck an agreement to meet on their own.
The Biden and Trump campaigns announced a deal Wednesday to meet for debates in June on CNN and September on ABC. Just a day earlier, Frank Fahrenkopf, chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates, had sounded optimistic that the candidates would eventually come around to accepting the commission’s debates.
“There’s no way you can force anyone to debate,” Fahrenkopf said in a virtual meeting of supporters of No Labels, which has continued as an advocacy group after it abandoned plans for a third-party presidential ticket. But he noted candidates have repeatedly toyed with skipping debates or finding alternatives before eventually showing up, though one was canceled in 2020 when Trump refused to appear virtually after he contracted COVID-19.
Bella Hadid goes braless in a thigh
Christopher Luxon defends more funding for Ruapehu ski fields
Texas: Diversity, equity and inclusion ban has led to more than 100 job cuts at state universities
TVNZ staff want to know why profitable shows are being cut
Yvette Fielding says her Most Haunted co
Wellingtonians warned of bus, train disruptions on Monday
Australia and ASEAN call for restraint in South China Sea, ceasefire in Gaza
Shotgun attack after Hastings rugby game 'deplorable'
Siblings trying to make US water polo teams for Paris Olympics
'Highly respected' tramper still missing in Pureora Forest after two weeks
Socialite Jasmine Hartin enjoys beach snuggle with electrician hunk
Five arrested in Taupō on Tuesday after group brawl at Richmond shops