Conservative cancel culture strikes again.
On Thursday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) voted unanimously to withdraw from the Commission on Presidential Debates, citing grievances of an anti-conservative bias that have grown all too familiar in recent years.
As a result of the vote, Republican candidates will no longer participate in debates coordinated by the commission, with the RNC requiring them to sign a pledge limiting debate participation strictly to RNC-endorsed platforms.
The move comes almost two years after the disastrous first presidential debate between then-President Donald Trump and then-candidate Joe Biden, in which Trump saw widespread condemnation for what seemed his pathological inability to keep from interrupting both Biden and moderator Chris Wallace.
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel announced the vote in a statement posted to her Twitter account.
Today, the RNC voted to withdraw from the biased CPD, and we are going to find newer, better debate platforms to ensure that future nominees are not forced to go through the biased CPD in order to make their case to the American people. pic.twitter.com/v8YdXyr3wX
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) April 14, 2022
McDaniel wrote in part:
"Debates are an important part of the democratic process, and the RNC is committed to free and fair debates. The Commission on Presidential Debates is biased and has refused to enact simple and commonsense reforms to help ensure fair debates including hosting debates before voting begins and selecting moderators who have never worked for candidates on the debate stage."
She added:
"Today, the RNC voted to withdraw from the biased CPD, and we are going to find newer, better debate platforms to ensure that future nominees are not forced to go through the biased CPD in order to make their case to the American people."
McDaniel's liberal counterpart, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, had a different take on the news, and didn't hesitate to bring it to her attention.
Typical CYA… you didn’t pass a party platform… your leader praises Putin… your members hang out at cocaine orgies… actively trying to destroy Medicare, ACA & Social Security… rampant voter suppression ... can fully understand why you don’t want a debate. #FraudFearFascism https://t.co/xxGWWVpdNm
— Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair (@harrisonjaime) April 14, 2022
Harrison said the party was afraid of a debate due to inaction and opposition to the will of the voters.
Social media users agreed.
Cowards https://t.co/qMNNeckZTj
— Thee Cajsa 💙💛 (@Cajsa) April 14, 2022
Wow , really no debates . How interesting and very telling https://t.co/m55OBFctzf
— JustTrishForDemocracy (@thefaeriehouse) April 14, 2022
Thank you for calling out the lies and hypocrisy! ✊ https://t.co/gybL96NeGa
— DaisyGirl 🇺🇦🌻 (@jpeterse5525) April 14, 2022
But Harrison wasn't the only one mocking the RNC.
feel like "sleepy joe biden beat us at debates so we're taking our toys and going home" is a total cuck position but thats just me https://t.co/wK0Befwhaj
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) April 14, 2022
News from the "Debate me, coward" crowd https://t.co/sJYvo49b3S
— Jason Campbell (@JasonSCampbell) April 14, 2022
It's official. The RNC is ditching the presidential debates. Translation: The questions are biased, the people asking the questions are biased, the organization that produces the event is biased, and all this bias this hurts our feelings while messing with our messaging. https://t.co/RUGNGzFWLZ
— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) April 14, 2022
I’ve got a better idea. Find better candidates. https://t.co/xL8Nk5bLZv
— 🇺🇸Lionel🇺🇸 (@LionelMedia) April 14, 2022
what is gop afraid of? can't hold a candle to Democrats when debating, right? https://t.co/F69ALR5MTG
— TheZenofWriting (@TheZenofWriting) April 14, 2022
Though the statement promised "newer, better debate platforms" it's unclear what those will be.
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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images