Debate commission accedes to Biden campaign's 'health and safety' objections for VP debate

[IronLionZion]

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/02/biden-campaign-vp-debate-safety-concerns-425485

The Commission on Presidential Debates has agreed to seat Kamala Harris and Mike Pence 12 feet apart at the vice presidential debate next week, after the Biden campaign raised health and safety objections to the original spacing between the two candidates because of Covid concerns.

As of Friday evening, however, the commission would not accede to the Biden campaign‘s request that Harris and Pence stand during the debate. Instead, the two will be seated, which was the preference of the Trump campaign, a source familiar with the discussions told POLITICO.

Negotiations had been underway before President Donald Trump announced early Friday that he had tested positive for Covid-19. But they became especially fraught throughout the day, after the Biden campaign and others who attended the Tuesday presidential debate in Cleveland were undergoing testing to make sure they hadn‘t been infected at the debate. Concerns heightened after 11 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Cleveland stemming from the debate, the city government disclosed on Friday.

The Biden campaign opposed original plans to position the candidates 7 feet apart, arguing that the two would not be spaced far enough apart to abide by medical guidelines. In light of Trump‘s diagnosis, the commission on Friday decided to move the chairs from 7 feet to 12 feet apart.

[Bobstandard]

1. And after every time she speaks...

Kamala should ostentatiously put on her mask to hear the vp’s response.

[ret5hd]

2. Why the insistence on standing? I know.

Because she looks quick and sharp and classy... he looks like a fuckin’ mannequin.

[Ms. Toad]

7. He's the one who insists on standing. n/t

[IronLionZion]

9. No, Harris wants to stand. Pence wants to sit. nt

[Ms. Toad]

10. You're right. I misread it. n/t

[volstork]

16. I think she is

taller than he is.

[IronLionZion]

19. She's 5'2". Pence is 5'10" so he's 8 inches taller

She's more confident, energetic, lovely smile, and has way better stage presence while Pence looks like he's dead inside.



This is who I think of when I see Pence:



So much better:

[volstork]

17. I think she is

taller than he is.

[womanofthehills]

3. Kamala should demand a large plexiglass panel be put between them

Like Jaime Harrison put up for his debate.

[world wide wally]

8. My thoughts exactly.

[BlueNProud]

4. Webex or Zoom can solve this problem

[C_U_L8R]

5. Pence should be quarantined and this debate cancelled.

Play a public service program on how to prevent COVID infection instead. Saved lives.

[JI7]

6. So they were resistant to increased distancing but ok with three Trump Trash

coming in without masks ?

[DrToast]

11. Do it outside

[torius]

12. She would be safer wearing glasses

Goggles are even safer but that would be weird.

There have been events where hundreds of people present at the event were infected by one person. I don’t know why they are doing this in the same room instead of online.

[former9thward]

15. No there have not.

What event were there "hundreds of people present at the even were infected by one person"?

[torius]

21. You're right

I was thinking of the woman in Daegu, but I read more (the article I had read was vague) and she went to two church services, not one, so some were secondary. That one in Washington infected 53 out of 61 present at the choir, though, so it's probably doable, with an infectious person moving from room to room.

[Newest Reality]

13. What would be...

What would be so bad about a large, plexiglass shield between them, center stage?

[ffr]

14. That's assuming despicable Pence isn't infected.

Biden and Harris must remain safe and healthy. This is a national security threat, imposed by the children on the other side of the isle.

Insist on Pence being tested by Biden's chosen doctors every day for the 48 hour period leading up to the debate. Pence is a slimeball republican. Don't think for a minute he won't come to the debate infected, like tRump and his wife did.

[gristy]

18. 7ft, 12ft, 20ft? WTF?

I just do not understand this debate. Put them in different fucking rooms. Get some expert AV folks to set up some low-latency, closed circuit AV. Both debaters will be able to see and hear their opponent with ease. The only thing they won't be able to do is catch covid from each other.

[StarfishSaver]

20. "PLEASE don't throw me in the briar patch!"

Kamala can rock it standing or sitting

[NurseJackie]

22. She's going to be a great VP!