When PresidentJoe Bidenand former PresidentDonald Trumpdebate at CNNs studios in Atlanta, they will do so without any audience.
The data pipe is allowing some still photographers in the studios, according to theWHCA.
The connection also will allow a print reporter in the room during a commercial break to capture the setting.
CNNs Presidential Debate is being held without an audience in a CNN studio and is closed to press.
We recognize CNN is investing significant resources to host this debate and we wish them every success.
Those debates also had been held in front of an audience, typically on college campuses.
The notion that we would be stiffed by a news organization is pretty mind-boggling.
Those are positive actions that WHCA fully supports.
That is not sufficient in our view and diminishes a core principle of presidential coverage.
The pool is there for the what ifs?
in a world where the unexpected does happen.
The pool reporter works on behalf of the entire White House press corps.
Print pool reports are an important part of the historical record.
The Biden campaign told WHCA it supports our request.
The Trump campaign told WHCA it would not oppose the inclusion of the White House pool reporter.
The Trump campaign has a separate press corps.
Tonights debate will have no audience present and includes format rules that can silence candidates microphones.
We dont know how this will play out in real time.
WHCA believes this principle of coverage matters.
Precedent matters for future debates.
We recognize CNN is investing significant resources to host this debate and we wish them every success.
Kelly ODonnell, president of the White House Correspondents Association.
