The Commission on Presidential Debates has announced a changeup ahead of this week's second Presidential debate. Based on the first debate, which had constant interruptions and interjections while each candidate was speaking to the point of that it was very hard to watch or endure at times, the Commission has decided to mute each candidates microphone while the other candidate is speaking during their 2 minutes of allotted time. The Commission said in a statement that they "had determined that it is appropriate to adopt measures intended to promote adherence to agreed-upon rules and inappropriate to make changes to those rules.”
President Trump said he will participate in this 2nd debate despite thinking it is "very unfair" of them to shut off the mics. While this appears to be a "rule change", the Commission stressed it is not a rule change but merely a move to "promote adherence to the rules". They laid out that the debate would work like this: "Under the agreed upon debate rules, each candidate is to have two minutes of uninterrupted time to make remarks at the beginning of each 15 minute segment of the debate. These remarks are to be followed by a period of open discussion. The only candidate whose microphone will be open during these two-minute periods is the candidate who has the floor under the rules. For the balance of each segment, which by design is intended to be dedicated to open discussion, both candidates' microphones will be open." Both microphones will be unmuted after each candidate delivers their two-minute answer.
President Trump shared his thoughts on the change up with Fox & Friends this morning saying he might change up this strategy of interjecting less and here's why:
What do you make of this change up by the Commission on Presidential Debates? I think it was bound to happen and while I don't love it, I think it was necessary for each candidate to at least get their points out there without interruption. While they can't interrupt each other while they each have their 2 minutes, they will get to follow up after uninterrupted time where the other candidate can correct the other if they feel they presented false statements so I think it works out. I have no doubt President Trump will speak up and correct things about Joe Biden even if it means cutting into his own time. I think the debate will still be red hot no matter what the Commission tries to do. What do you think
-Producer Lightning