The Republican National Committee, headed by Ronna McDaniel, sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates stating that moving forward, the RNC will not allow its presidential candidates to participate in debates run by the CPD.
The organization has hosted and produced the presidential and vice presidential debates for at least three decades. If the RNC makes good on their promise, it could change the way that presidential and vice presidential debates are held.
Ronna McDaniel stated in the letter, “The Republican National Committee has a duty to ensure that its future presidential nominees have the opportunity to debate their opponents on a level playing field. So long as the CPD seems 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 the future Republican presidential nominees are given that opportunity elsewhere.”
The letter from the RNC was initially reported by The New York Times was brought about after a string of complaints from former President Trump as well as GOP officials over how the 2020 Presidential debates were conducted. It should be noted that the letter was sent to the CPD by the RNC after months of negotiations.
In response to the letter, the commission told Fox News that it is the CPD’s policy to deal directly with candidates who qualify for participation in electoral debates. The CPD says that it plans for 2024 to be based on “fairness, neutrality, and a commitment to assist the American public in learning about candidates as well as political issues.”
The RNC will hold a winter meeting in early February in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is expected that there will be a vote on the matter by committee members during this meeting.
The Democratic National Committee responded to the RNC’s letter as well.
DNC Chairperson Jaime Harrison said in a statement to Fox News: “Republicans can’t win a fair fight and they know it. After years of having their toxic policies exposed on the national stage, the RNC has decided they would rather hid their ideas and candidates from voters. And during the last presidential election, the Republicans decided to not have a platform for the first time ever so it’s a natural progression, first no platform and no no debates.”
However, Harrison added that even if the Republican candidates threw a “tantrum,” voters could be sure they would hear from President Biden as well as Vice President Harris.
Many Republicans were put out with the debates when it appeared that moderators, particularly Chris Wallace, a former Fox News television host, were more partisan than impartial. Donald Trump noted that he was interrupted multiple times during multiple debates while the Democratic candidate was allowed to speak freely.
