“Outnumbered” co-host Kayleigh McEnany and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy joined “America’s Newsroom” to discuss President Biden’s debate preparation at Camp David and the key issues driving voters to the polls.
CNN has set the rules for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle, scheduled to take place in less than two weeks. Both President Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to the debate rules, with CNN noting that independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could potentially join them on stage.
To qualify for the CNN debate, a candidate must have received 15% support in four separate national polls and be on the ballot in enough states to reach 270 electoral college votes. Kennedy is currently on the ballot in six states, totaling 89 potential electoral votes.
The 90-minute debate will be held on June 27 in Atlanta and will be moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. This will mark the first in-person debate between Biden and Trump since their 2020 election face-offs. Both candidates accepted CNN’s invitation last month and agreed to the specified rules and formats outlined by the network.
CNN has stipulated that there will be two commercial breaks during the debate, and candidates will not be permitted to consult with campaign members during these breaks. Podium positions will be determined by a coin flip, and candidates’ microphones will be muted outside of their speaking time. They will only be provided with a pen, a notepad, and a bottle of water, with no props or prepared notes allowed.
Notably, this debate will not have a studio audience, a departure from recent debates. Moderators are empowered to enforce timing and maintain a civilized discussion.
To participate in the debate, candidates must meet the constitutional requirements outlined in Article II, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution to serve as president. Both Biden and Trump meet these requirements, as do other candidates like Kennedy, Cornel West, and Jill Stein. All five have filed a formal statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, another debate requirement.
National polls that meet CNN’s reporting standards include those sponsored by CNN, ABC News, CBS News, Fox News, Marquette University Law School, Monmouth University, NBC News, The New York Times/Siena College, NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist College, Quinnipiac University, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.
