The Republican National Committee (RNC) is considering changing its bylaws to ban any future GOP candidate for president from participating in any future debates unless the Commission on Presidential Debates makes a number of changes proposed by the RNC.
“So long as the CPD appears intent on stonewalling the meaningful reforms necessary to restore its credibility with the Republican Party as a fair and nonpartisan actor, the RNC will take every step to ensure that future Republican presidential nominees are given that opportunity elsewhere,” RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel wrote in the letter
“Accordingly, the RNC will initiate the process of amending the Rules of the Republican Party at our upcoming Winter Meeting to prohibit future Republican nominees from participating in CPD-sponsored debates,” she added.
The nonprofit commission, run by members of both parties has hosted presidential and vice-presidential debates since 1988. However, the committee came under attack from former President Donald Trump’s during the 2020 election. The committee’s decision to hold the second debate virtually due to Trump’s COVID diagnosis resulted in him withdrawing from the debate. He also criticized the commission’s decision to mute each candidate’s mic during the final debate after the first contest included considerable interruptions from the then-President.
According to CNN, the Commission on Presidential Debates said in an unsigned statement that the commission “deals directly with candidates for President and Vice President who qualify for participation in the CPD’s 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,” the statement added.
