Watch Live: Congressional Hearing on IRS Scandal

Live Now on TheBlaze Radio: ‘The Buck Sexton Show’

Politics

Read the 21-Page Debate Agreement Between Romney and Obama Campaigns

Oct. 15, 2012 8:34pm Jason Howerton

Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images

Veteran political reporter Mark Halperin reported on Monday that the Obama and Romney campaigns had both voiced concerns about Tuesday night’s debate moderator Candy Crowley of CNN. Halperin made reference to an “early October memorandum of understanding” signed by both campaigns that set some ground rules for the three presidential debates.

Now, Halperin has made the entire 21-page document public, and the provisions found in the agreement will undoubtedly raise some eyebrows.

The deal was reportedly struck on October 3, the day of the first presidential debate in Denver. Halperin writes the “negotiators and signers were veteran Washington campaign lawyers Bob Bauer (for the president) and Ben Ginsberg (for Mitt Romney).”

As a part of the restrictive deal, the two candidates are not allowed to ask each other “direct questions” or walk outside a “predesignated area.” Further, for Tuesday’s town hall style debate, no audience members or the moderator will be allowed to ask follow-up questions. This appears to be where Crowley strayed away from the terms of the agreement as she said she may ask her own follow up questions.

The Commission on Presidential Debates and the debate moderators are not parties to the agreement, Halperin writes.

Gawker has more analysis:

Most bizarrely, given the way the debates have played out, the rules actually appear to forbid television coverage from showing reaction shots of the candidates: “To the best of the Commission’s abilities, there will be no TV cut-aways to any candidate who is not responding to a question while another candidate is answering a question or to a candidate who is not giving a closing statement while another candidate is doing so.” The “best of the Commission’s abilities” must be rather feable, seeing as how almost every moment of the two debates so far was televised in split-screen, clearly showing shots of a “candidate who is not responding to a question while another candidate is answering a question.”

Here are some of the highlights found in the memorandum of understanding:

• Each debate shall begin at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
• The parties agree that they “will not (1) issue any challenge for additional debates, (2) appear at any other debate or adversarial forums except as agreed to by the parties, or (3) accept any television or radio air time offers that involve a debate format”
• Candidates aren’t allowed to cite anyone in the audience other than family members during debates.
• Candidates aren’t allowed to address questions to each other or ask the other candidate to take a pledge.
• Moderators are not allowed to ask “show of hands” questions.

Even without the discovery of the agreement, Town halls have undoubtedly lost some of their spontaneity. The 80 or so undecided voters chosen for Tuesday’s debate must submit their questions in advance and Crowley will decide which people to call on.

Read the entire 21-page agreement:

The 2012 Debates – Memorandum of Understanding Between the Obama and Romney Campaigns

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (80)

TelepromoterNChief
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 11:45pm
Romney will play by the rules …..the Obama rules…and Obama will still FAIL at the next debate.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- WakingSheep
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 8:36am
  More proof of the one party system.
  How do we have a 90 minute economic debate without once mentioning the Federal Reserve?
  Also,
  Why aren’t the other candidates (which are on the ballot) up on the stage for these debates?
  Hmmmmmm
  
  Report this comment
- n8isgrate
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:40pm
  Mr sheep that walks the reason there are no other candadates on the stage because there are no other candadates matter. Gary Johnson is only running to help Obama win. The federal reserve is a huge problem but Obama is a bigger problem so lets take this one step at a time.
  
  Report this comment
Grand design
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 11:13pm
Looks like this agreement was created by Obama so that he wouldn’t have to answer for this record!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Maxim Crux
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 11:08pm
Why can’t they ask each other questions. It is a fricking debate…between them. It makes sense for them to ask each other questions and have a moderator step in on interruptions and time limits when the question is not being answered.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- WakingSheep
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 8:41am
  A debate ha!
  Let’s talk about the economy and not mention the FED.
  Let’s talke about china’s currency manipulation but not mention QE3.
  Let’s talk about capitalism and not mention keynsian economics (romney & Obama = keynsians).
  Let’s talk about freedom and individualism and not mention NDAA or the patriot act.
  
  Red vs blue = more of the same
  
  Report this comment
- n8isgrate
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:49pm
  Mr sheep that walks you are in need of a pep talk. Romney is not Obama not even close. This election is a big deal your not going to get another chance if obama wins. If Obama wins there could be a dramatic change in the courts 3 conservative judges are close to 80. So if they get a super majority in court they could give Obama power over congress and say good bye to our country. This is the last chance or we will have to wait another 100 years to turn around this mess or there will have to be a war within our country that will not turn out well. So if your going to be an idiot and continue to be blind to how bad it really will be if Obama wins you deserve everything that comes to you.
  
  Report this comment
- guns-an-bibles
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 3:48pm
  Because odumma$$ would have to answer real questions that he doesn’t have answers for.
  
  Report this comment
A.Yeshuratnam
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:56pm
Debates do not matter much. American people, unlike African or Asian countries, are educated and politically conscious. They have already decided who to vote. One day debate cannot change their views. What has Obama done all these four years to get reelected? Economic recession, mass unemployment, total failure in foreign policy (the turmoil we see in the Middle East today) .The murder of the American ambassador is a national humiliation like 9/11. . President Magarief of Libya says deadly attack on US Consulate was ‘pre-planned act of terrorism,’ not reaction over film. During Obama presidency, America lost its status as a superior power. Clinton intervened in Serbia despite opposition by Russia and China. But Obama is not allowed to stop the bloodbath in Syria by Beijing and Moscow. Cameron and Sarkozy intervened on time and saved thousands of innocent lives. If Obama does not have the guts to stop the massacre in Syria, he could have armed and aided Turkey and the rebels. Taking advantage of the impotence of Obama, Ahmadinejad has the temerity to send Iranian troops to Syria, calling them ‘advisers.’ As In the first two years of their joint reign Obama and Bernanke have waged a hidden inflation war on the middle class that has fleeced more wealth from folks on Main Street than the previous 20 years. These two men, along with their cohorts in D.C. and at the Fed, have set America on a road to financial perdition and economic ruin. Romney has said at the Clinton Globa

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- n8isgrate
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:52pm
  I wish you were correct but if you are not aware there are a good amount of people who aren’t educated also dead people and illigal immagrants who can steal this election.
  
  Report this comment
daxbrady
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:51pm
When Obama loses this debate, I wonder what else will be out of bounds for the third debate.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- TelepromoterNChief
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 11:40pm
  Obama will need a pacifier..er….teleprompter since think on his own is hard.
  
  Report this comment
- n8isgrate
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:53pm
  No matter what happens tonight the media will say Obama won the debate and is back. The media is still going to do what they can to make sure he wins.
  
  Report this comment
- n8isgrate
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:54pm
  If I am wrong I will be quite happy that the media has finally woken up.
  
  Report this comment
Verceofreason
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:22pm
Maybe Romney will bring another 8-9 years of tax returns – like his dad.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Cataclysm
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:29pm
  And maybe Obama will show his college transcripts….
  
  When something freezes over……
  
  Report this comment
- 12776
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:36pm
  And Obama can bring his college records.
  
  Report this comment
- intrepidorator
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 9:25am
  LOL.. Why should Romney bring any of his taxes? Romney has proven that the Dems were lying when they claimed that he hadn’t paid taxes. Of course the Dems lying is not news, it’s a common tactic… maybe thats why the lame stream media refuses to expose their lies. It’s not news anymore.
  
  Report this comment
Gary_K
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:19pm
This agreement is a big pile of bull droppings.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
FightingBear
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:18pm
Take the gloves off, throw away the agreement, get a truly neutral moderator and then let the chips fall where they may.

Enough of this staged garbage…let’s see what they are really made of.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
denkat56
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:14pm
this isnt a debate, its a joke. ill bet it was obamas camp who came up with this. we dont want to hurt the presidents feelings. how come they didnt agree to this before calling romney a felon or a murderer. way to go axelrod, i quess if you cry enough youll get your way.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
RestoreCapitalism
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:07pm
And the camera operator may never pan down to show a shot of Obama’s training wheels…

This is an unbelievable load of lawyer garbage designed to protect Obama. They absolutely should be allowed to ask direct questions of each other, that is the best way to reveal their real views. If only Obama’s team mate (moderator), is allowed to ask and filter the questions, we know she will spin to Obama’s favor and defense. Maybe they should allow him to use teleprompters with Axelrod typing in his answers.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Max jones
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:48pm
So, Obama’s team is rehearsing him with “zingers”. I can’t wait. Just remember that it takes a great actor to play a fool’s role. I can’t help but think something nefarious is about to happen…I have zero trust or confidence in anything the MS media is involved in……..ZERO!
Is any one screening the question askers…I’d hate to see someone as stupid as soybomb waste our time. There you are Soy….you me another half dollar. (He gets real excited when he reads his tag) Strange kid.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Verceofreason
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:19pm
  Obama doesn’t do zingers, where did you get that one.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:19am
  Max if you would have said my name three times I would have responded earlier….
  
  Report this comment
- Wango
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 10:31am
  MAX . . . So sorry, but you got that backwards . . . which you would have know if you’d been paying attention at all. The “zingers” thing was from Romney’s team. The fact that Hannity said it last night only proves that he’s a shameless liar and you believe him.
  
  http://www.examiner.com/article/mitt-romney-preparing-zingers-for-presidential-debate-with-obama
  
  Report this comment
TROLLMONGER
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:47pm
Whats interesting is that most of the right wing Beckbots are so old that 25% of them will die before they even get a chance to vote in this years election…LOL!
Log in to ReplyReply
- AnybodyButHim
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:55pm
  and you will still go broke before than..thanks to your savior
  
  Report this comment
- AnybodyButHim
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:55pm
  then*
  
  Report this comment
Lion420
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:40pm
Reminds me of the episode of Cheers, when Cliff and Frasier were going to fight, but first, they had to sit down and set up rules for the fight. No punching my right arm…that’s my bag arm, I carry the mail on that arm.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Wolf
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:26pm
More of the typical BS that convinces me even more that the only difference between Oblahbla and Mitzy Baby is skin color.
It’s only going to be Mitzy if the dems decide it’s going to be and don’t stuff the ballot box or take the issue to court.
Not that Mitzy will be any different- despite the NRA endorsement and their claim that ‘gun owners have a clear choice’- then go on to talk about Oblahbla’s attempts at gun control… while not even mentioning the fact that Mitzy as a govenor banned guns.
Oh, right- Mitzy says, “The second amendment is essential to our free society. I strongly support law-abiding citizen’s rights to own firearms for lawful purposes, including self defense, the protection of family and property, hunting and recreational shooting.”
None of which is mentioned in the Second Amendment and totally irrelevant to why people should own firearms.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
lel2007
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:17pm
Seems like an awful lot of bvllsheet to win over what is surely the last 80 or so undecided voters.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Old Truckers
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:03pm
Are fist fights allowed?
I didn’t see that mentioned in the rules.

Maybe I missed that section.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:20pm
  Did you notice the “subtlety” in the photo that all the boxing gloves are red?
  
  Obama should have been wearing blue gloves.
  
  This is one of the subliminal gimmicks to make one subconsciously think the only the Republicans start a fight.
  
  Report this comment
- Old Truckers
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:33pm
  You mean the American public is being manipulated? No, that can’t be.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:45pm
  Who do you think put the “man” in ” manipulated”?
  
  Wasn’t a Monk I can tell you…
  
  Report this comment
soybomb315_II
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:55pm
Do the debate rules state that neither candidate will talk about the federal reserve?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- justangry
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:07pm
  The moderator gets to pick the questions that will be asked by the audience. So no they won’t be talking about the federal reserve, wars or rights.
  
  Report this comment
- Max jones
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:19pm
  Federal reserve? Wouldn’t that be a sponsor message? Since the federal reserve’s actions are apparently above the president’s pay grade, I don’t think it will come up.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:22pm
  I’d sure like to hear that topic brought up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- WakingSheep
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 8:37am
  What have a real economic debate?… Pwah!…
  Not in the baby boomers lifetime buddy!
  Maybe once the Foxnews generation is gone we can have that debate.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 8:41am
  Tofu & Angry-
  Don’t dispair, surely women’s rights will be broached.
  
  Report this comment
Mr.Fitnah
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:49pm
Is there a special Obama may run out the clock rule ?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Fatheroftwo
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:49pm
I wonder if they’ll be testing the atmosphere for CO2 before, during and after the debate to find out how much hot air was let out!!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
The-Monk
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:48pm
“As a part of the restrictive deal, the two candidates are not allowed to… walk outside a “predesignated area.”

Poor Obama…. he was planning to do a Jay Leno, high-five walk around, at the start and after each of his answers.

Poor feller…. : (

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Eastinfection
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:58pm
  hey Monk…
  
  does it say anything about running?
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:07pm
  How bout crawling on his knees begging?
  
  Report this comment
HumbleMan
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:47pm
I see agreement does not say “binding on the moderator”.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Eastinfection
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:47pm
No thanks. I don’t read 21 pages of anything unless it’s written by Brad Thor or Ted Bell, etc.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:26pm
  Ted Bell the steak restaurant guy? He’s a hoot…..
  
  http://www.angelfire.com/ca4/philhendrie/tedbell.html
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 7:32am
  not quite. but that was a funny read Monk :)
  
  Report this comment
dd41
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:45pm
Lawyers! Whats the point of doing a debate? Oh ya Oby has a reputation to be careful with.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:43pm
Figures Team Obama will ensure the agreement is breached; no honor among thieves of the left.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Psychosis
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:03pm
  tracy
  
  is it ten johns at ten dollars a piece or is it 95 johns at a dollar?
  
  Report this comment
scuba13
Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:42pm
So I guess this means Romney can’t look at Obama and ask him why he gave guns to Mexican to Mexican drug cartels.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 8:56pm
  then you had better ask GW Bush as well
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:14pm
  Hi Soybom315,
  “then you had better ask GW Bush as well”
  
  If you don’t know the difference between the two operations by now I’ve lost a lot of respect for you.
  
  You’re smarter and more informed than this and we both know it. Correct?
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:27pm
  yes, just like everything else – GW Bush got off to a fast start and Obama picked up the batton and raced to the finish line
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:37pm
  Hi Sotbom315,
  
  You’re absolutely wrong on “this” one.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 9:44pm
  are you saying GW Bush did not give Mexico weapons and bribe money in order to continue their US-mandated war on drugs?
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 10:40pm
  Hi Soybom315,
  
  You do understand the difference to giving weapons to a Government and giving weapons to a Cartel right?
  
  You do understand that Brian Terry was killed on our side of the border and only had a beanbag shotgun when the other 3 agents had real guns right?
  
  You do understand that after 5 bandits “supposedly” killed Brain Terry and got the upper hand (5 against 3) they tossed their perfectly good weapons and fled right?
  
  You do understand that the Feds caught these bandits, let them go after pleading guilty for being in the US illegally and they went back to Mexico right?
  
  You do understand that after the bandits were safety back in Mexico the DoJ put out warrants for them right?
  
  You do understand that Brian Terry was scheduled to go back home for the first time in 3 years for Christmas vacation but was transferred to Nogales, Az.(100 miles away) 11 days before going home and was sent out that night on a patrol with only a beanbag shotgun right?
  
  You do understand that Brian Terry was shot in the back, center shot, right in the spine, just under his body armor right?
  
  You do understand that the Government said the bullet that killed Brian Terry could not be identified as to which kind of gun it came from right?
  
  You do understand that Holder, the DoJ, the ATF, the DHS and everyone else is covering somrthing up right?
  
  You do understand that the whistle blower was just fired outside of a Denny’s last week right?
  
  Now, what did Bush do?
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 15, 2012 at 11:09pm
  Monk this is not just about ‘fast and furious’. ‘fast and furious’ was a small fish in the big scheme of things. We have been giving Mexico and their drug producing friends billions of dollars every year (not to mention military grade weapons and political promises). The truth is, when you give the government of mexico money and weapons – you are giving money to the cartels and the crooks – that is the nature of their government.
  
  Apparently, you were ok with Fast and Furious until an American got killed or until you were able to blame something on Obama. But the truth is, because of our policy – hundreds of thousands of mexicans have either been killed or live in fear (i would suggest it has destabilized their entire country). Conservatives whine and complain about fast and furious but so far nobody has indicated they want to stop giving the corrupt mexican government less bribe money….amazing
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:08am
  Hi Sotbom315,
  
  Really? And just what would Dr. Ron Paul and/or Gary Johnson do to “fix” this problem?
  
  And please be specific…. I know you have all the answers to every problem facing the Planet.
  
  Ron Paul… Gary Johnson… some guy named Baldwin.
  
  Yep. you are the manifestation of all answers that boggle the mind of us simple folks that are just too stupid to get your talking points. All we need is Dr. Ron Paul or Gary Johnson and ALL our problems will be magically solved. Get a Life, grow up and smell the truth.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:19am
  wow monk.
  
  The answer is simple and if you have paid any attention, we say it all the time….
  Simple answer: Stop meddling in other countries and mind our own business!!!
  
  if that boggles your mind then i’m sorry to say you are the one living in a fantasy world
  
  Report this comment
- Wango
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 10:32am
  THE MONK . . . Thank you for your service.
  
  Report this comment
- n8isgrate
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:11pm
  Mr Soy why are you protecting Obama you hide behind Ron Paul and Gary Johnson but in reality you are defending Obama by bringing up Bush.
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.