WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican National Committee said Thursday it is planning a rules change that would force presidential candidates seeking the party’s nomination to sign a pledge saying they will not participate in any debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
The party is seeking an alternative partner and cited concerns with moderators selected by the debate commission, a desire for a debate before early voting starts and changes to the commission’s board, RNC spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said.
Former president Donald Trump complained publicly about the 2020 presidential debates, claiming that the debates were biased against him, and refusing to participate in one of the three scheduled debates.
Trump tested positive for COVID-19 three days before his first presidential debate in September 2020 with Joe Biden, according to a new book by Trump’s former chief of staff, Mark Meadows. He participated in that debate.
A discussion about the proposal is set to take place at the party’s winter meeting.
While the Republican National Committee has the ability to change many party rules between its quadrennial conventions, final say on whether to participate in the commission-sponsored debates will fall on the GOP’s eventual 2024 nominee. The nominee usually effectively controls the convention, which could easily strip the rule drafted by party insiders if the nominee believes it is in their interest to attend the debates.
The Commission on Presidential Debates said in a statement that it deals directly with candidates who qualify for participation in its general election debates.
“The CPD’s plans for 2024 will be based on fairness, neutrality and a firm commitment to help the American public learn about the candidates and the issues,” it said.
The proposal was first reported by The New York Times.
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