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Commission on Presidential Debates

Presidential debates are organized by the "Commission on Presidential Debates." Their formats are organized with both campaigns.

Stated Mission:

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) was established in 1987 to ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. Its primary purpose is to sponsor and produce debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates and to undertake research and educational activities relating to the debates. The organization, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) corporation, sponsored all the presidential debates in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004.

First Presidential Debate

Friday, September 26
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Moderator: Jim Lehrer

The first presidential debate will be ninety minutes in length and will focus on domestic policy. It will begin at 9:00 pm EST and will be broadcast on all major networks and cable. Both candidates will be seated at a table with the moderator.

Departing from previous debate the first will be divided into 8 ten-minute issue segments; the moderator will introduce each segment with an issue on which each candidate will comment, after which the moderator will facilitate further discussion of the issue, including direct exchange between the candidates, for the balance of that segment. Time will be reserved for closing statements by each of the candidates in each debate.

The debate organizers say "this change is aimed at increasing the educational value of the general election debates. 'Our mission is to promote voter education. The public deserves to hear and see the candidates offer and defend their positions on the critical issues facing our country in the most thoughtful and in-depth manner that television time constraints will allow. Loosening the constraints within the ninety minutes debate will allow for more serious examination of complicated questions. This change will also open the possibility of the moderator inviting candidates to question each other. We want voters to benefit from as full an explanation of a topic as possible, and we feel certain that the candidates will welcome this change for the same reason.'"

Vice presidential debate

Thursday, October 2
Washington University in St. Louis, MO
Moderator: Gwen Ifill

The Vice Presidential debate will be ninety minutes in length. It will begin at 9:00 pm EST and will be broadcast on all major networks and cable. Both candidates will be seated at a table with the moderator.

Like the first presidential debate it will be divided into 8 ten-minute issue segments; the moderator will introduce each segment with an issue on which each candidate will comment, after which the moderator will facilitate further discussion of the issue, including direct exchange between the candidates, for the balance of that segment. Time will be reserved for closing statements by each of the candidates in each debate.

Second presidential debate

Tuesday, October 7
Belmont University, Nashville, TN
Moderator: Tom Brokaw

The second presidential debate will be a town hall meeting. It will include any issues raised by members of that audience. Questions will also be solicited by Internet and included with those from citizens on the stage with the candidates.

Third presidential debate

Wednesday, October 15
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Moderator: Bob Schieffer

The third presidential debate will be ninety minutes in length and will focus on foreign. It will begin at 9:00 pm EST and will be broadcast on all major networks and cable. Both candidates will be seated at a table with the moderator.

Like the first presidential debate it will be divided into 8 ten-minute issue segments; the moderator will introduce each segment with an issue on which each candidate will comment, after which the moderator will facilitate further discussion of the issue, including direct exchange between the candidates, for the balance of that segment. Time will be reserved for closing statements by each of the candidates in each debate.

The debate organizers say "this change is aimed at increasing the educational value of the general election debates. 'Our mission is to promote voter education. The public deserves to hear and see the candidates offer and defend their positions on the critical issues facing our country in the most thoughtful and in-depth manner that television time constraints will allow. Loosening the constraints within the ninety minutes debate will allow for more serious examination of complicated questions. This change will also open the possibility of the moderator inviting candidates to question each other. We want voters to benefit from as full an explanation of a topic as possible, and we feel certain that the candidates will welcome this change for the same reason.'"