Following several days of back and forth, the two contenders decided to abide by the same guidelines as were employed by President Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the June first presidential debate.
Tuesday marks the first time that Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will debate nationally, and much will be watched to see how they perform under the constraints of the rules.
The two candidates eventually came to terms to follow the same guidelines that Trump and President Joe Biden employed in the June first presidential debate, following several days of back and forth.
Muted microphones, prepared remarks, in-person audiences, sitting, and conversing with campaign personnel in between commercial breaks are all prohibited.
Since Harris has a different skill set than President Joe Biden, the previously agreed-upon regulations may put her at a disadvantage, even though many of them are usual for presidential debates.
Here are the guidelines for the Philadelphia discussion on Tuesday, along with the beneficiaries.
Silent Mics
Only when the candidate whose turn it is to speak speaks will the microphones be on. They will stay muted if not.
Biden and Trump had originally agreed upon this regulation. However, after she was selected as the Democratic contender for president, Harris made an effort to alter it.
Even though Trump stated that he “doesn’t care” if the microphones remain on, his staff threatened to withdraw from the discussion if the regulations were altered.
Harris eventually consented to the rule requiring a muted microphone, but Fallon said ABC News that Harris would suffer from a “fundamental disadvantaged.”
No notes or assistance beforehand
Candidates are required to stand the entire time and are not permitted to carry props or prewritten notes to the stage. A water bottle, pen, and writing pad will be presented to them. Additionally, during the two commercial breaks, campaign workers is not permitted to speak with any candidate.
Both Trump and Harris struggle with improvisation, although Trump has greater experience than Harris in this area.
At press conferences, rallies, and interviews, Trump frequently veers off subject and into lengthy digressions. However, he excels in disparaging Democrats while praising his goals and programs, even if it occasionally leads to him making excessive claims.
Harris, a former prosecutor, is excellent at making his points succinctly and simply. However, she can falter and say things that are readily misunderstood when forced to improvise. Her misspoken remarks have been ridiculed or chastised in past interviews.
No Opening Statements
There will only be closing remarks made during the discussion rather than any opening ones. Trump selected the order of statements after winning the coin toss. Trump will speak last during the closing remarks, followed by Harris.
Given that Obama can hear all of Harris’s talking points before offering the last word in the discussion, the former president has a minor advantage.
Questions will be posed by moderators.
There won’t be a live audience; only Linsey Davis and David Muir, the debate moderators, will be able to offer questions.
It will be a little more formal than prior debates, so contestants will need to provide a direct, understandable response as well as a thorough answer to the topic.
In this regard, Harris has a small advantage over the former president because she is more adept at staying on topic and making several points faster than Trump.
Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, ABC News will broadcast the debate.
