Candidates Told Not To Swear During Tonight's Debate

[left-of-center2012]

CNN reported on Tuesday that the DNC and ABC News, the network hosting the third Democratic debate, have sent advisories to participating candidates telling them not to swear when they face off against each other on Thursday night.

The memo warned that ABC News won’t be able to edit out “foul language” because the debate will be broadcast in real time without any delay. “Candidates should therefore avoid cursing or expletives in accordance with federal law and FCC guidelines,” the note said, according to CNN. This is reportedly the first time the campaigns have gotten this warning.

The advisory, while sent to all Democratic candidates, may have been directed at Beto O’Rourke, who’s been openly cursing on the campaign trail since August in response to President Donald Trump’s racist comments and the recent shootings that’ve roiled the Democrat’s home state of Texas.

The debate will be held at 8 PM EST on ABC News. Reporters George Stephanopoulos, David Muir, Linsey Davis, and Jorge Ramos are slated to serve as moderators.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/dnc-abc-warn-2020-candidates-no-swearing-debate

[CentralMass]

1. F@#k that ;-)

[RKP5637]

2. WTF!

[snowybirdie]

3. Good

We all and our children don't need to be blasted with language many abhor. He's just using it for attention and shock value anyway.

[left-of-center2012]

5. Agree 100%

Yet some people here on DU seem to think it's OK.
I think it's a further decline in our politics if that's what we want/accept in our candidates.

[Act_of_Reparation]

16. That's kind of puerile, don't you think?

[snowybirdie]

18. Yes

Beto is using cursing is immature and silly. If he's trying to attract more voters, this is not the way. I use good old angle Saxon curses myself and often, but let's raise the tone of political discourse. We've been in the gutter long enough with the current administration

[Act_of_Reparation]

19. I'm not saying he's acting puerile.

I'm saying you're acting puerile. If you don't use naughty words, that's your business, but to be this upset at a grown adult choosing to use them for rhetorical effect seems, to me at least, an extremely childish use of one's time.

[Celerity]

20. well played, regardless of one's personal thoughts on the subject

[BeyondGeography]

4. Bernie still wrote the damn bill though

[still_one]

7. I am pretty sure that isn't what they are referring to.

[Farmer-Rick]

6. Oh yeah, let's all worry about using swear words

While our democracy is destroyed.

Geez, do swear words really carry any real meaning anymore? Do kids who can follow a political debate, not use or know swear words?

[still_one]

8. I suspect it is because of the FCC requirements, and the fines that can be imposed

[Amimnoch]

9. Don't care at all.

Sooooo low on the bar of what I consider important.

[NurseJackie]

10. Beto's swearing is turning me away from him. I don't even consider him to be a viable VP selection.

It shows poor judgement and a lack of self control. It's not the demeanor or temperament that I'd feel comfortable having as POTUS or having as one heartbeat away from being POTUS.

[Arkansas Granny]

13. I have to agree with that. It isn't that the profanity bothers me that much, but it really shows

a lack of professionalism on his part.

[left-of-center2012]

15. "When they go low, we go high"

[Drunken Irishman]

21. I am sure many presidents have sworn like sailors in private...

...but yes, the fact he so easily does it in public is awkward.

[dalton99a]

11. Children, plug your ears!

[PJMcK]

12. Just because Trump swears...

...doesn't mean the Democrats have to stoop to his bottomless level.

I was taught that if you curse, it shows that you have a limited vocabulary and limited self-control.

[left-of-center2012]

14. Agreed

"When they go low, we go high"

[Sherman A1]

17. Good

It’s completely unnecessary.