Commission on Presidential Debates

Commission on Presidential Debates. The Commission on Presidential Debates is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that sponsors United States presidential debates and Vice presidential debates in the United States. The organization was established in 1987 by Frank Fahrenkopf, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Paul Kirk, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, with the goal of sponsoring and producing presidential debates between the major candidates for President of the United States. The Commission on Presidential Debates has sponsored debates in every United States presidential election since 1988, including debates between George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis in 1988, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush in 1992, and Barack Obama and John McCain in 2008.

History and establishment

The Commission on Presidential Debates was established in 1987 as a response to the League of Women Voters' decision to withdraw from sponsoring presidential debates due to concerns about the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee's influence over the debate process. The Commission on Presidential Debates was founded by Frank Fahrenkopf and Paul Kirk, who served as the organization's first co-chairmen. The organization's first debate was held in 1988 between George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis, and was moderated by Jim Lehrer of the Public Broadcasting Service. The Commission on Presidential Debates has since sponsored debates in every United States presidential election, including debates between Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush in 1992, Al Gore and George W. Bush in 2000, and Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in 2012. The organization has also sponsored debates between vice presidential candidates, including debates between Dan Quayle and Lloyd Bentsen in 1988 and Joe Biden and Paul Ryan in 2012.

Structure and governance

The Commission on Presidential Debates is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that is governed by a board of directors. The board of directors includes Frank Fahrenkopf, Paul Kirk, and other prominent United States citizens, including Dorothy Ridings, the former president of the League of Women Voters, and John C. Danforth, the former United States Senator from Missouri. The organization is funded by donations from corporations and individuals, including Anheuser-Busch, The Coca-Cola Company, and Ford Motor Company. The Commission on Presidential Debates also receives funding from the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. The organization's headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., and it has a staff of several dozen employees, including a executive director and a team of debate planners and coordinators. The Commission on Presidential Debates works closely with the Federal Election Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to ensure that its debates comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including the Federal Election Campaign Act and the Communications Act of 1934.

Debate selection criteria and format

The Commission on Presidential Debates uses a set of criteria to determine which candidates are eligible to participate in its debates. The criteria include a requirement that candidates must be constitutionally eligible to serve as President of the United States, must have achieved ballot access in a sufficient number of states to win the presidency, and must have demonstrated a level of support of at least 15% in opinion polls conducted by Gallup, Pew Research Center, and other reputable polling organizations. The Commission on Presidential Debates also considers other factors, including a candidate's fundraising and campaign organization. The organization's debates are typically held in a town hall meeting format, with moderators asking questions of the candidates on a range of topics, including foreign policy, economy, and health care. The debates are broadcast on television and radio by a consortium of broadcast networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS, and are also streamed online by YouTube and other websites. The Commission on Presidential Debates has also experimented with new formats, including online debates and social media-based debates, in an effort to reach a wider audience and increase voter turnout.

Criticism and controversies

The Commission on Presidential Debates has faced criticism and controversy over the years, including allegations of bias and exclusion of third-party and independent candidates. Some critics have argued that the organization's debate selection criteria are too restrictive and favor major party candidates, such as Democratic and Republican candidates, over minor party and independent candidates. Others have criticized the organization's format and moderation of debates, arguing that they do not allow for sufficient substance and depth of discussion. The Commission on Presidential Debates has also faced criticism from advocacy groups, including the League of Women Voters and the National Association of Secretaries of State, which have argued that the organization's debates do not adequately address the issues and concerns of voters. The organization has responded to these criticisms by making changes to its debate format and selection criteria, including the addition of online debates and the use of social media to engage with voters.

Impact on U.S. elections

The Commission on Presidential Debates has had a significant impact on United States presidential elections, providing a platform for candidates to discuss their policies and visions with voters. The organization's debates have been watched by millions of Americans, including undecided voters and independent voters, and have played a major role in shaping the narrative and outcome of presidential elections. The Commission on Presidential Debates has also helped to increase voter turnout and engagement, particularly among young voters and minority voters. The organization's debates have been credited with helping to inform and educate voters about the issues and candidates in presidential elections, and have provided a unique opportunity for candidates to connect with voters and build support for their campaigns. The Commission on Presidential Debates has worked closely with other organizations, including the National Association of Secretaries of State and the Federal Election Commission, to promote voter registration and voter education initiatives, and has partnered with universities and research institutions, including Harvard University and the University of California, Los Angeles, to study the impact of debates on voter behavior and election outcomes.