Debate commission promises changes after chaotic exchange between Donald Trump and Joe Biden

April Roach @aprilroach2830 September 2020

Changes will be made to the debate process after Donald Trump and Joe Biden engaged in a fiery exchange full of insults and interruptions.

The long-awaited battle between the US leader and former vice president in Cleveland resulted in a debate that was lacking in policy discussion as Mr Trump repeatedly interrupted his rival.

US pollster Dr Frank Luntz declared neither of the two candidates were clear cut winners.

He wrote on Twitter: “This debate has actually convinced some undecided voters to not vote at all. I’ve never seen a debate cause this reaction.”

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), which works with both candidates ahead of the debates to agree certain rules, said it would be changing the structure of the debates.

Joe Biden said Donald Trump's behaviour was 'unpresidential'
AP

"Last night’s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues," the CPD said in a statement.

"The CPD will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly."

The current rules state that candidates have two uninterrupted minutes to answer questions, but Mr Trump repeatedly interrupted Mr Biden's responses, prompting the former vice president to eventually tell him to "shut up man".

Mr Biden also called Mr Trump, 74, a "clown", "Putin’s puppy", a liar, a racist and "the worst president America has ever had".

Donald Trump repeatedly interrupted Joe Biden
AFP via Getty Images

The US President also came under fire for refusing to categorically denounce white supremacists despite being given several opportunities during the debate.

Mr Trump insisted extremist violence was "not a right-wing problem". Pressed further, he said: "What do you want to call them? Give me a name."

Finally he answered, naming a notorious American far-right group, saying: "Proud Boys - stand back, stand by, but I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about Antifa and the left because this is not right-wing problem. This is a left wing problem."

The CPD has yet to make clear what changes it will make, however NBC News reports a source close to the commission is considering the ability to cut off a candidate’s microphone when the rules are violated.

Mr Biden told reporters at a campaign stop in Ohio that he hopes the commission can better control the debate "without interruption".

"Well, you know, he not only attacked me constantly and my family, but he attacked the moderator," said Mr Biden.

"I just hope there's a way in which the debate commission can control the ability of us to answer the question without interruption.

"I'm not going to speculate on what happens in the second or third debate."

But Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign communications director, said in a statement that the commission shouldn't be "moving the goalposts and changing the rules in the middle of the game".

The candidates have two more opportunities to go head-to-head before the November 3 election.

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