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Donald Trump’s campaign has proposed to delay the last two presidential debates with Joe Biden for a week.
Earlier, the President of the United States said that refuse to participate in a virtual debate on October 15 that the organizers were planning in response to their coronavirus diagnosis.
In a statement, Trump’s campaign manager Bill Stepien suggested that in-person debates should take place on October 22-29.
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He added: “As President Trump said, a virtual debate is not a start and would clearly be a gift for Biden because he would rely on his teleprompter from his basement bunker.
“Voters should have an opportunity to directly challenge Biden’s 47-year failed leadership record.”
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But Joe Biden’s campaign said Trump “is not on the debate calendar” and that he should stick with it.
“Trump’s erratic behavior does not allow him to rewrite the calendar and pick new dates of his choosing,” said his director of communications Kate Bedingfield.
“We look forward to participating in the final debate, scheduled for October 22, which is already tied for the last debate date in 40 years. Donald Trump may appear or he may decline again. That is his choice.”
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The Commission on Presidential Debates, a nonpartisan committee that has organized all presidential debates since 1988, had proposed altering the second television showdown between the Republican and Democratic candidates.
It was originally intended to be a “town hall” style event, with the two men facing questions drawn from a group of undecided voters in the same room and the rest of social media.
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But organizers said the debate should move online rather than “protect the health and safety of all involved,” given Trump got his positive test for coronavirus seven days ago – last Thursday night.
In that time, the president of the United States has been in and out of the hospital.
Vice President Mike Pence and Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris also squared off last night in a televised debate, but they were separated by clear plastic screens.
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