President Trump on Wednesday said he wants the first presidential debate moved earlier in the calendar to reflect expansive early voting windows in some states.
“The first debate should be at least before the first ballots go out,” Mr. Trump said on “Fox & Friends.” “They have it a month later, almost a month later — it’s ridiculous.”
He said he wouldn’t mind having more than the three debates, which are put together by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.
“What’s more important to me is the first debate be moved up so that when people are putting in their first ballot, they’re going to know,” Mr. Trump said.
The three debates are set for Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida, and Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The first and second debates had already been moved from Indiana and Michigan, respectively, over coronavirus concerns.
Some Democrats have called for Joseph R. Biden, the party’s likely nominee, to skip the debates entirely, saying there’s little to be gained from tangling with Mr. Trump’s unique style.
“I hear he wants to get out, but in all fairness to him he has not said that,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Biden’s campaign had previously said the former vice president would participate in three debates, which is standard for election years.
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien had called for more debates earlier this week and made a similar pitch to start them sooner.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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