The upcoming vice presidential debate between Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz will feature a notable change in microphone policy compared to previous debates.
According to Deadline, CBS News has announced the rules for the Tuesday debate, revealing that candidates' microphones will not be automatically muted during the event.
This marks a departure from recent presidential debates where microphones were shut off when it wasn't a candidate's turn to speak. The network stated in the rules, "CBS News reserves the right to turn off candidate microphones." This approach differs from the Donald Trump-Kamala Harris and Donald Trump-Joe Biden debates, where strict mic-muting protocols were implemented.
The vice presidential debate will follow a structured format similar to previous presidential events. Each candidate will have two minutes to answer questions, followed by two minutes for responses and an additional minute for further rebuttals.
The debate is scheduled to last 90 minutes, with two four-minute breaks interspersed throughout. To maintain fairness and prevent outside influence, campaign staff will not be permitted to interact with the candidates during these breaks.
CBS News has emphasized that no topics or questions will be shared with campaigns or candidates in advance, ensuring spontaneity and equal preparation for both participants.
Norah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan will moderate the debate from CBS studios in New York. Unlike some previous debates, this event will not have a live audience present.
At the conclusion of the debate, each candidate will have the opportunity to deliver a two-minute closing statement. JD Vance, having won a virtual coin toss, chose to go second, giving him the final word of the evening.
The decision to keep microphones on throughout the debate stands in contrast to recent high-profile events. Deadline political editor Ted Johnson stated:
Harris' campaign demanded that mics be kept on for the ABC News presidential debate earlier this month, but eventually relented. The thinking apparently was that Trump would be hurt if he tried to repeatedly interrupt Harris when it was her turn to answer.
This change in approach may lead to a more dynamic and potentially confrontational exchange between the vice presidential candidates.
While this vice presidential debate has been confirmed, discussions about additional presidential debates continue. Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted CNN's proposal for a debate on October 23, but former President Donald Trump has expressed concerns about the timing.
Trump stated that an October 23 debate would be "too late," citing the commencement of early voting in numerous states. However, it's worth noting that Trump participated in a second presidential debate on October 22 during the 2020 election cycle.
The upcoming vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz promises to be a significant event in the 2024 election cycle. With open microphones and experienced moderators, viewers can expect a lively and potentially revealing exchange between the two candidates. As the election draws closer, the impact of this debate on voter perceptions and campaign strategies will be closely watched by political analysts and the public alike.
