President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign is requesting the Commission on Presidential Debates schedule a fourth debate with presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for early September.
Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani sent a letter to the commission on Wednesday urging it to add another debate to the already agreed-upon three debates.
Giuliani noted if the commission does not agree to add another debate, it should move up the third debate to the first week in September.
“Simply put, the Commission’s current approach is an outdated dinosaur and not reflective of voting realities in 2020,” Giuliani wrote.
He added, “For a nation already deprived of a traditional campaign schedule because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, it makes no sense to also deprive so many Americans of the opportunity to see and hear the two competing visions for our country’s future before millions of votes have been cast.”
Giuliani claimed Biden would “agree” Americans need to see both Trump and Biden debate each other before they vote.
He called on the commission to adequately prepare for the debate should the coronavirus pandemic interfere.
“Additionally, now that former Vice President Biden has finally confirmed he is indeed available to leave his basement for the fall debates, we are also requesting the Commission solidify its backup plans for debate locations and logistics in the event additional COVID-19 complications arise at any of the locations,” Giuliani said.
He suggested the commission should establish a studio format with no audience as an emergency back-up plan.
Biden’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, said on Tuesday her husband will attend the debates despite rumors suggesting he will try to avoid debating Trump, as IJR previously reported.
Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway also called for more presidential debates, as IJR previously reported.
Conway explained she believes there should be more than three debates because both Trump and Biden are unable to hold in-person campaign events.
The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the nation.
As of Wednesday evening, there are more than 4.8 million coronavirus cases and over 157,000 deaths.