Rep. James Clyburn (R-Colorado) has suggested that the next presidential debate should do more live fact-checking, after CNN was criticized last week for failing to do so.
Clyburn said he’s not sure whether there should be a second debate, given the low ratings for President Biden’s debate on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Thursday night. Speaking with CNN’s Dana Bash, who moderated last week’s debate, he suggested there wasn’t enough live fact-checking during the debate.
“I think Joe Biden would do well in the debate. I think it all depends on the rules. I don’t like debates where nobody fact-checks. You just say what you want to say, and you know it’s a lie. Biden lied like 30 times and nobody checked it. It’s up to Joe Biden,” he told Bash.
“If I asked you a question and you gave me a false answer, I would then give you the facts and see your reaction to that. So for me that was not the way to plan a debate, and anyone who did that or agreed to that should really think about what they are doing,” he added.
In his response, Bash noted that Biden’s team had agreed to the terms of the debate, after Biden’s performance last week sparked unrest within the Democratic Party with many calling for him to drop out.
CNN was criticized for not fact-checking in real time during the debate between former President Trump and former Vice President Biden. Many media outlets, including CNN, published their own fact-checks after the debate ended. However, Bash and co-host Jake Tapper did not fact-check in real time during the debate.
“We are incredibly proud of Jake and Dana. Our job is to listen to the candidates so voters can make an informed decision, and we’re pleased to have been able to do that,” CNN said in a statement to The Hill on Thursday.
Biden’s campaign has tried to shake off his performance at the debate, with White House officials saying Mr Biden had a cold that night. The day after the debate, a reinvigorated Mr Biden addressed North Carolina voters and tried to allay concerns about his ability to serve a second term.
