PHOENIX — The Democratic presidential debate will be held at the Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix on March 15 at 5 p.m., without a live audience. The candidates cited coronavirus fears.
The decision surprised many as there are only two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Arizona, and four presumptive positive cases, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
However, given that the Democratic Party in Arizona, a retirement state, is comprised of many elderly members, who are advised to avoid crowds, and the Party is offering two elderly candidates, turnout for the event was expected to be disappointing.
“At the request of both campaigns and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience at the Arizona debate taking place on Sunday, March 15th. The DNC has been in regular communication with local health officials and the Mayor’s office, which advised that we could proceed as planned. Nevertheless, our number one priority has and will continue to be the safety of our staff, campaigns, Arizonans and all those involved in the debate. We will continue to remain in daily contact with all stakeholders through Sunday.”
— Democratic National Committee communications director Xochitl Hinojosa in a statement.
“At the request of the campaigns and out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to eliminate the live debate audience, the press filing center and spin room in Phoenix.”
— CNN, a cohost of the debate, in a statement.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, the only candidate of color and only female remaining in the Democrats’ presidential race was denied admission as well through a rule change.
Prominent GOP consultant, Constantin Querard tweeted on the subject:
Fair to say that debating in a room without a live audience is definitely an advantage for #Biden, who appears to have spent much of his campaign talking to lots of rooms without live audiences.
— Constantin Querard (@CQuerard) March 11, 2020
Popular conservative radio show host, James T. Harris also weighed-in:
I was looking forward to seeing Biden punch Bernie! Now the DNC has has canceled the event… for the audience! Dude! Cancel culture DNC using Coronavirus to cover for the weak B’s? pic.twitter.com/uTMBVHxd64
— James T Harris (@JamesTHarris) March 11, 2020