Debates are set up for September and October and networks hope candidates turn up
ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News have prepared a joint letter urging President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump to participate in televised debates. The letter had not been sent at deadline.
āWe, the undersigned national news organizations, urge the presumptive presidential nominees to publicly commit to participating in general election debates before Novemberās election,ā the letter reads, according to a draft obtained by The New York Times, which said the networks are looking to get more media partners on board.
The Commission on Presidential Debates oversees the debates. Three are scheduled: September 16 in San Marcos, Texas, October 1 in Petersburg, Virginia, and October 9 in Salt Lake City. Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has not yet committed to appear, amidst concern about Trump following the debateās rules. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has said he will take part.