Texas Loses Out as Biden and Trump Skip Commission-Run Debate for Atlanta Showdown

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have opted to bypass the traditional Commission on Presidential Debates for an Atlanta showdown, leaving Texas as the unfortunate loser in the process.

The initial plan was for Texas to host the candidates on September 16, marking the state’s first-ever presidential debate. However, Biden and Trump have redirected control to networks, with CNN hosting the upcoming event in Atlanta. This shift marks the first time in 40 years that a presidential debate is not under the oversight of the commission.

Aaron Kall, the director of debate at the University of Michigan and a leading figure in the field, pointed out that both candidates had their reasons for sidelining the commission in favor of network control.

The debate, scheduled for tonight in Atlanta, will be broadcast on TV8, News 88.7 FM, and online streams at HoustonPublicMedia.org, commencing at 8 p.m. CT.

Kall highlighted Trump’s concerns about perceived bias within the commission, as well as Biden’s dissatisfaction with their handling of COVID protocol at previous debates, including the incident in Cleveland on September 29, 2020.

Originally, the Commission on Presidential Debates had planned a series of debates for this election cycle, including a mix of presidential and vice-presidential affairs. However, following the recent vice-presidential debate at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, the remaining debates have been reshuffled to different venues.

Kall expressed regret over the financial impact on the host locations, including Lafayette College, Virginia State University, and the University of Utah, estimating potential losses in the millions. The exposure usually gained from hosting such high-profile events could have a significant impact on these communities.

As the stage is set for the Atlanta debate, Texas finds itself on the sidelines, missing out on a historic opportunity to host a presidential face-off.