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Presidential Debate Host Change: University of Michigan Backs Out Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced that the second general election presidential debate will now be hosted in Miami, Florida, after the University of Michigan backed out due to coronavirus concerns. The debate was originally set to take place on October 15, 2020, but the university cited the scale and complexity of its fall semester preparations and public health guidelines as reasons for its withdrawal. The second debate will now be a town hall format, where questions will be posed to the candidates by Miami area residents. The news comes after the Biden campaign agreed to participate in the three previously announced fall debates, criticizing the Trump campaign's push for additional debates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The University of Michigan has withdrawn as the host of the second general election presidential debate due to COVID-19 concerns.
  • The debate will now be hosted at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida.
  • The second debate will be a town hall format, with questions posed to the candidates by Miami area residents.
  • The debate will still be 90 minutes in length, starting at 9 p.m. ET, and moderated by a single individual selected by the commission.
  • The commission will follow health and safety protocols at the debate site.
  • The Biden campaign has agreed to participate in the three previously announced fall debates, criticizing the Trump campaign's push for additional debates.
  • The debates will feature a unique town hall format for the second debate, differing from the other two debates.

Statistics:

  • The debate will be held on October 15, 2020, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida.
  • The University of Michigan was set to host the debate, but withdrew due to COVID-19 concerns.
  • The second debate will be the first to feature a town hall format.
  • The debates will conclude on October 22, 2020.
  • The commission will use health and safety protocols at the debate site, following CDC guidelines.

Sources:

  • The Commission on Presidential Debates
  • University of Michigan
  • CNN
  • Detroit Free Press
  • The Washington Post
  • The Biden campaign (via a letter to the commission)

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