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.
What a blast to work at NASA. Space agency is sky
Dodgers extend winning streak to 6 as Tyler Glasnow gets first career victory against Blue Jays
David Pryor, former governor and senator of Arkansas, is remembered
Türkiye calls for greater defense cooperation with Germany
Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
Anthony Edwards scores 36 points, Timberwolves beat Suns 126
Demi Lovato chops her hair and goes for a lighter brunette color as she shows off her fresh chin
Mets put reliever Drew Smith on 15
Election 2024: Biden and Trump bypassed the Commission on Presidential Debates
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
Sean 'Diddy' Combs dismisses some claims in sexual assault lawsuit