A Debate Where Candidates Can’t Speak [OPINION]

The Commission on Presidential Debates has decided that the candidates for president should not be allowed to speak freely during the second and final debate on Thursday night.

The commission was so put off by incumbent President Donald J. Trump's attempts to be heard at the first debate, it is installing a mute switch to kill a candidate's mic whenever the moderator chooses. In other words, to keep Trump from pressing Biden for answers to tough questions.

Great. A debate between the two men who want to lead the free world where the moderator has a mic kill switch. Judging by the way Fox News hack Chris Wallace moderated the first debate, it might be a safe bet that Democrat challenger Joe Biden gets to talk when and for however long he wants, and Trump will have to struggle to be heard.

This is just another last-minute rules change by the debate commission designed to make things easier for Biden. I suspect that the debate moderator, NBC's Kristen Welker, will flip the switch anytime Trump tries to talk about the allegations of Biden family corruption.

The commission attempted to change the rules to favor Biden before the second debate, and Trump wasn't having any of it. When the commission decided to allow Biden to debate remotely, the Trump campaign cried foul and refused to participate.

The Commission on Presidential Debates has not even attempted to hide its bias, and nor has the media. But what they don't realize is that every effort to protect Biden, a much weaker candidate, actually strengthens Trump in the eyes of the voters.

Voters want a president who is tough and can handle the heat. A weak candidate like Biden, who needs constant coddling and protection, can't possibly be up to the job – and America knows it.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.