By Susan Duclos
Via Debates.org
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. and Michael D. McCurry, co-chairmen of the
non-partisan, non-profit Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), today
announced formats for the presidential and vice presidential debates
that feature extended discussion of major issues to be announced in
advance.
The formats for the 90-minute debates are as follows:
First presidential debate (October 3, 2012, University of Denver, Denver, CO)
The debate will focus on domestic policy and be divided into six time
segments of approximately 15 minutes each on topics to be selected by
the moderator and announced several weeks before the debate.
The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which
each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use
the balance of the time in the segment for a discussion of the topic.
Vice presidential debate (October 11, 2012, Centre College, Danville, KY)
The debate will cover both foreign and domestic topics and be divided
into nine time segments of approximately 10 minutes each. The moderator
will ask an opening question, after which each candidate will have two
minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in
the segment for a discussion of the question.
Second presidential debate (October 16, 2012, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY)
The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting,
in which citizens will ask questions of the candidates on foreign and
domestic issues. Candidates each will have two minutes to respond, and
an additional minute for the moderator to facilitate a discussion. The
town meeting participants will be undecided voters selected by the
Gallup Organization.
Third presidential debate (October 22, Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL)
The format for the debate will be identical to the first presidential debate and will focus on foreign policy.
All debates will be moderated by a single individual and will take
place from 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time. There will be no opening
statements and two-minute closing statements in all the debates. In all
the debates except town meeting, the CPD recommends that the candidates
be seated at a table with the moderator. Moderators will be selected and
announced in August.
In addition, the CPD is undertaking an innovative internet-based
voter education program that will encourage citizens to become familiar
with the issues to be discussed in the debates, and to share their input
with the debate moderators in advance of the debates. The program,
which will be announced later this month, will be led by a coalition of
internet leaders.
Fahrenkopf and McCurry said that the formats reflect extensive study
by the CPD board of directors: "There are serious issues facing this
country and the public has the right to expect a serious examination of
those issues during this fall's debates. The CPD believes this can be
accomplished best by focusing big time blocks on major domestic and
foreign topics. The topics will be selected and announced in advance of
the debates by the debate moderators.
"The debates are the most widely-watched political programs of any
kind. These format changes are designed to promote substantive dialogue
before, during and between the debates about the major issues of the
day. They will permit citizens and candidates to come prepared for a
series of voter education forums that inform and engage the public.
"Coupled with the internet program, the debates will serve as the
foundation for a season of conversation this fall. Technology offers the
means to provide and receive information - the CPD is committed to
using this tool creatively and effectively to bring as many people as
possible into the conversation."
The CPD has sponsored and produced all the presidential and vice
presidential debates since 1987, the year it was established. More
information can be found at www.debates.org.
