WASHINGTON—The nation’s presidential debate commission has been thrust into a debate over debates. The role of the Commission on Presidential Debates, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, is in the spotlight after President Trump declared Thursday he wouldn’t take part in next week’s second debate with Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden after the commission announced it would be held virtually. After last month’s first debate, which was criticized because the candidates talked over one another, debate organizers had said they would change the structure of the remaining matchups. For years, the debate organization has sought to avoid any appearance of politics. The commission is independent of the nation’s political parties and has conducted more than 30 general-election and vice-presidential debates since 1988, the first presidential cycle following its formation.

Source: Wall Street Journal October 08, 2020 20:03 UTC