The final debate rules presented by ABC News to the presidential campaigns cast aside a push by Vice President Kamala Harris’ team to keep the microphones of both candidates hot during tense, live exchanges.
Instead, the mics will only be live for the candidate designated as the speaker and muted during the time for their opponent.
This defeats the Harris campaign’s 11th-hour bid to reverse the critical rule of the June CNN debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, in which the president’s meandering answers helped end his reelection bid.
After VP Harris became the effective nominee, her campaign tried to negotiate changes, arguing that a hot mic could allow former President Trump to make an unforced error. Therefore, they taunted him by claiming he lacked the ability to act ‘presidential’ for a full 90 minutes.
The face-off is set for September 10 in Philadelphia, representing another significant moment in the campaign. Harris continues introducing herself to the public and is floating on a slim post-convention poll “bounce’ after turning the race into a toss-up contest by stepping in for Biden.
Like the CNN debate, there will be no audience, in a move that denies candidates the opportunity to try to score possible applause with zingers. There will be two moderators — Linsey Davis and David Muir — for the 90-minute tussle.
Pre-written notes and props aren’t allowed, and candidates are only allowed blank paper, a pen, and a bottle of water.
The rules allow for two-minute answers and rebuttals simultaneously. An additional minute is allowed for rebuttal and follow-ups.
In a sign that previous debates have occasionally gone wrong, the moderators will attempt to maintain a “civilized discussion” and enforce the time deals.
“Our understanding is that Trump’s handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don’t think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own,” said Brian Fallon, advisor to Harris, amid this week’s negotiations.
This week, Trump slammed the network and threatened to withdraw over the microphone issue. He later said he was okay with mics being left on while sticking to a deal his campaign had negotiated with Biden.
“Why would I do the debate against Kamala Harris on that network?” asked Trump.
Both campaigns appreciate the debate’s importance, which is only a little over a week away. Harris has abandoned the traditional campaign sprint after her convention, organizing a two-day bus tour in Georgia instead while focusing on preparing for the debate.
ABC presidential debate rules
• The debate will air live at 9 p.m. EST from Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center
• There will be no opening statements but two-minute closing statements
• As an incumbent, Harris will be introduced first
• Debate will be 90 minutes long
• A coin toss will determine the placement of podiums and the order of closing statements
• Candidates will stand behind podiums — no wandering
• No props
• Neither side will receive questions in advance
• Candidates will be allowed walk-throughs in advance
• There will be no audience
• Candidates will be allowed two-minute answers, two-minute responses, and one minute for follow-up
• Candidates cannot ask each other questions
• Mics will be muted when the other candidate is speaking
• No notes or props
• Candidates will get water, a pen, and a pad
• No interaction with staff during breaks
• Moderators will enforce “civilized discussion,” and the clock
Former President Trump takes his own approach to preparing for the debate, but he has also spoken of its importance and given several interviews.
Corey Lewandowski, Trump campaign advisor, said on a call Thursday with reporters that Harris’ campaign tried to pressure the network into altering the rules for the debate in other ways, including allowing candidates to bring prepared notes on stage.
Harris also wanted to be seated, not standing, behind their podiums, said Lewandowski.
However, the Harris-Walz campaign claims the latest claims from the Trump campaign are false.
