Debates commission is fair and non-partisan: Opposing view
The challenge of bringing televised general election debates to the public is regularly underestimated. Presidential candidates are not legally required to debate; after the historic Kennedy-Nixon debates in 1960, there were none until 1976.
By 1987, two studies — at Georgetown and Harvard universities — recommended that a neutral organization be created to sponsor and produce general election debates. The non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) was organized as a result. Its mission is to ensure that televised general election debates among the leading candidates take place regardless of those candidates' party affiliation.
In accordance with Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations, the CPD is an independent non-profit. It is governed by a strong 17-person board that comprises leaders from business, academia, law, government, journalism and philanthropy. No director holds a position with a political party. The CPD is supported by private donations, receiving no funding from the government or any political party, political action committee or candidate.
Also in accordance with the FEC, the CPD adopts "pre-established, objective" candidate selection criteria each debate cycle to identify the leading candidates, regardless of party affiliation, who will be invited to debate. Scores of individuals run for president, including dozens who do not seek the nomination of either major party. Our criteria seek to identify those whose level of public support genuinely qualifies them as leading candidates.
The CPD alone selects debate sites, dates, moderators and formats, with no input from parties or candidates. However, the CPD welcomes input from the public, which may submit ideas at the CPD's website regarding candidate selection, format, or any other aspect of the debates.
The debates attract record viewership and help voters learn about the candidates and the issues. The CPD has shown itself to be an effective and fair sponsor of these critical voter education forums.
Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr. and Michael D. McCurry co-chair the Commission on Presidential Debates.