CNBC reports:
The second presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden, slated to take place on Oct. 15, will be held virtually, the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates said Thursday.
Citing a need to “protect the health and safety of all involved,” the commission said in a statement, “The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which the candidates would participate from separate remote locations.”
The debate’s location in Miami, Florida and the moderator, C-SPAN’s Steve Scully will remain unchanged, they said. The announcement came six days after Trump announced early last Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for coronavirus.
Wanna bet Trump refuses?
The next debate between Biden and Trump will be virtual, organizers announce. The move comes after the President’s coronavirus diagnosis.https://t.co/qngIOENS4A
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) October 8, 2020
The Commission on Presidential Debates says the 2nd Trump v. Biden debate – a week from today – will be VIRTUAL. Will still be a TOWN HALL style. Steve Scully & undecided voters will be in Miami. Trump will be at White House. Biden will also be remote.
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) October 8, 2020
NEWS: As Trump battles coronavirus and flouts isolation, the Commission on Presidential Debates announces next week’s debate will be VIRTUAL.
Trump & Biden will appear “from separate remote locations”— Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) October 8, 2020
virtual debate bad for Trump on multiple levels:
—shatters effort to portray pandemic as effectively over
—fact that he’s too sick for Biden to be in same room with dramatizes administration failures
—deprives Trump of go-to physical dominance moves
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) October 8, 2020