SE Texas Times

State Rep. James White (R-Hillister) disagreed with the Presidential Debate Commission's decision to shift the second presidential debate from an in-person debate to a virtual one.

"My teachers and students are back in the classroom and I don’t know why two men that hope to lead the free world cant debate in person," White said.

The commission eventually decided to cancel the debate following a tense 48 hours after the president declined to attend a virtual debate. The commission claimed to be making the change due to President Donald Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis.

"The (Commission on Presidential Debates) will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for Oct. 22," the commission said in a statement,  according to CNN.

In response, Biden's campaign agreed to host a town hall with ABC, while Trump appeared on NBC for a town hall that same evening.

When asked whether or not online debating could impact a candidate's debate style, White replied, "Lets not even go there. Debate in person."

The Oct. 22 debate will take place at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. 

"As announced on June 23, the debate will be divided into six 15-minute segments. The topics for the six segments will be selected and announced by the moderator at least one week before the debate," according to a statement from the Commission on Presidential Debates. "Kristen Welker of NBC News will serve as moderator for the debate."

White said he believes there are improvements that could be made to the in-person presidential debates. 

"We need moderators that are not Democratic Party political hacks," White said.