Biden team rejects Trump bid for debate delay
8 October 2020, 22:54
The president has objected to a virtual format.
Joe Biden has rejected Donald Trump’s proposal to push back their remaining two debates in the wake of the president’s coronavirus diagnosis.
And the Democrat candidate says it is not up to President Trump to set the schedule for the high-profile clash.
Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield says the campaign had long ago agreed to debate dates of September 29, October 15 and October 22.
Debate organisers on Thursday said next week’s event would be a virtual one due to President Trump’s having Covid-19.
The president immediately objected to that format, said he would not take part and pressed for the candidates to meet in person.
His campaign then proposed the event be postponed by one week, to October 22, and the third debate be held on October 29.
The Biden camp says President Trump’s “erratic behaviour does not allow him to rewrite the calendar and pick new dates of his choosing”.
Ms Bedingfield said Mr Biden is looking forward to the October 22 debate, which she says is “tied for the latest debate date in 40 years”.
The election is on November 3.
