The second Presidential Debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was canceled today. The Commission on Presidential Debates canceled the second debate after President Trump declined to hold the debate virtually. In fact, earlier this week Trump stated he was not wasting time on a virtual debate. The debate was going to be held virtually after Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19.
“It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15, and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate,” the commission stated.
The commission and both campaigns have been going back and forth for the past 48-hours to make a decision. The debate was scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami. Now, there won’t be three presidential debates, there will only be two with the final one taking place in Nashville on Oct. 22.
Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Biden’s campaign voiced his disappointment in the cancelation of the debate.
“Vice President Biden looks forward to making his case to the American people about how to overcome this pandemic, restore American leadership and our alliances in the world, and bring the American people together. It’s shameful that Donald Trump ducked the only debate in which the voters get to ask the questions — but it’s no surprise.”
But, Trump’s campaign was seeking to push back the debate in order to still hold it in person. They suggested the Oct. 15 debate take place on Oct. 22 and then the Oct. 22 debate pushed to Oct. 29 — only a few days before the election. The commission did not approve of his suggestion.
Trump’s campaign spokesman, Tim Murtaugh argued the president’s health is not a concern and should not have been the reason the debate was moved.
“There is no medical reason to stop the October 15 debate in Miami from proceeding as scheduled, since the President will be healthy and ready to debate. There is also no reason there shouldn’t be the three total presidential debates as Joe Biden had originally agreed. We have suggested using October 22 and October 29 to hold the final two debates. It’s time for the biased commission to stop protecting Biden and preventing voters from hearing from the two candidates for president.”
