Commission on Presidential Debates
Sept 22, 2020
For immediate release

Moderator Announces Topics for First Presidential Debate

The first presidential debate will be held on Tuesday, September 29 at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. The format for the first debate calls for six 15-minute time segments dedicated to topics announced in advance in order to encourage deep discussion of the leading issues facing the country.

Chris Wallace, moderator of the first 2020 presidential debate, has selected the topics for that debate.

Subject to possible changes because of news developments, the topics for the September 29 debate are as follows, not necessarily to be brought up in this order:


The Trump and Biden Records

The Supreme Court

Covid-19

The Economy

Race and Violence in our Cities

The Integrity of the Election



All debates start at 9:00 p.m. ET and run for 90 minutes without commercial interruption.


CPD Media

Members of the Media: 
Welcome to the 2020 Debate Cycle and the 1st Presidential Debate
 
In order to maintain a safe environment for all involved you will need to be tested by the Cleveland Clinic for COVID-19.  All participants in the event must follow this protocol. It is recommended you schedule time for testing the day before your first day on the site.  
 
There are two ways to sign up for a COVID-19 test: 
 
1. Please click on the link below, read it thoroughly and complete the information. Your organization is MEDIA After submitting your information, watch for a e-mail confirming your enrollment and follow the associated instructions for MyChart.
 
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/debate/health-safety/covid-testing-pre-registration
 
2.  You may also make your appointment by phone, call 216-636-8000, Push option 1.  Call center will be open Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm.
 
COVID-19 Testing Hours and location:
 
The Testing Facility is located in the same building as the Accreditation Center:
 
W.O. Walker Building
10524 Euclid Ave (Entrance off of Stokes Blvd)
Cleveland, OH  44195
 
  • Monday, September 21  7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m
  • Tuesday, September 22  7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 23   9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, September 24  7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, September 25  7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 26  7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 27  7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Monday, September 28   7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.  
  • Tuesday, September 29  7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
 
After your test, you will be given a “yellow” wristband identifying that you have been tested and are awaiting results.  Results are expected to take 2 – 6 hours, during which time you are asked to self-isolate and/or limit contact with anyone else and watch for your test results via text or email. 
 
NEGATIVE result – please return to the Walker COVID-19 Testing Center with your negative test result and ID to receive your “green” wristband.  You may then proceed to the accreditation center to pick up your credential. 
 
Accreditation Center Hours:
 
  • Sunday, September 27  9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Monday, September 28   9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  
  • Tuesday, September 29  7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
 
With a negative test result and credential, you can now access the debate perimeter and site or media center, depending on your workspace.  Test results last for 72 hours.  If you are on campus for longer than 72 hours, you will need to be retested, you can schedule any subsequent re-test needs at the same time you schedule your initial test.  You will be electronically notified that your 72 window is expiring and you need to schedule subsequent tests.
 
[POSITIVE result – continue to self-isolate. You will be contacted directly by a Cleveland Clinic caregiver with further care instructions.]
 
Please note: Cleveland Clinic is not accepting alternate proof of testing in order to maintain consistency in testing results.
 
In addition, the host site is charging $100 per test.  These costs will be charged directly to a media member's employer via their media rate card account.  Please show media ID upon arrival at the testing center.

Shuttle Services

Shuttle service hours are the same as COVID-19 testing hours. Please refer to the attached maps to determine the best shuttle line for your transportation needs on campus. 
 
Blue Line: Holiday Inn, Intercontinental Hotel & Suites, W.O. Walker Center, Debate Hall (Media Center within walking distance) 
 
Green Line: Media Parking Garage, Intercontinental Hotel and Conference Center, W.O. Walker Building, Debate Hall 

Catering

Catering within the inner perimeter is available for purchase by calling Lindsey at Driftwood Catering at 216-630-6723. We strongly encourage pre-ordering these needs as soon as possible as product is limited closer to debate day.

COVID-19 Safety Standards
• You must wear a face mask at all times. Cloth masks are not acceptable.  Blue surgical masks are being required and will be available on site. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds.  If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Practice physical distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others.

City of Cleveland
September 24, 2020

City of Cleveland Presidential Debate Updates: Prohibited Items & Call to Report Suspicious Activity

The City of Cleveland Board of Control this week approved an extensive list of prohibited items in the Presidential Debate event zone. The event zone is designated as East 79th Street to Stokes Boulevard and Hough to Cedar Avenue surrounding the Cleveland Clinic main campus. The newly passed regulations go into effect on Sept. 28 at 12:01 a.m. and end at 6 a.m. on Sept. 30, 2020. The debate is scheduled for the evening of Sept. 29.

The following items prohibited in the public spaces – such as streets and sidewalks – of this area include:

  • Lumber larger than 2” in width and ¼” thick, including supports for signs;
  • Metal, plastic, or other hard material larger than ¾” thick and 1/8” in wall thickness including pipe and tubing;
  • Any air rifle, air pistol, paintball gun, blasting caps, switchblade or automatic knife, knife having a blade two and one-half (2-1/2) inches in length or longer, cestus, billy, blackjack, sword, saber, hatchet, axe, slingshot, BB gun, pellet gun, wrist shot, blackjack, metal knuckles, nun chucks, mace, iron buckle, axe handle, shovel, or other instrumentality used to cause property or personal damage;
  • Any dangerous ordinance, weapon, or firearm that is prohibited by the laws of the State of Ohio;
  • Any explosives, explosive device, or incendiary device;
  • Fireworks and rockets;
  • Sound Amplification Equipment;
  • Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems;
  • Containers of bodily fluids;
  • Aerosol cans;
  • Mace, Pepper Spray or other chemical irritant;
  • Umbrellas with metal tips;
  • Any projectile launchers, such as water guns and water cannons;
  • Rope, chain, cable, strapping, wire, string, line, tape, or any similar material, in greater than 6’ lengths;
  • Glass bottles, ornaments, light bulbs, ceramic vessels, and anything else frangible, regardless of whether the container holds any substance;
  • Locks including, without limitation, padlocks, bicycle locking devices, chain locks, or similar devices, but not including:  (i) an integral component of a conveyance or structure; (ii) locks when utilized by the owner of private real property to secure permanent or temporary fencing; or (iii) locks attached to a bicycle;
  • Tents and other shelters, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, mattresses, cots, hammocks, bivy sacks, or stoves;
  • Coolers or ice chests;
  • Backpacks and bags exceeding the size of 18” x 13” x 7”;
  • Lasers;
  • Non-plastic containers, bottles, cans, or thermoses;
  • Ladders;
  • Grappling hooks, sledgehammers, hammers, and crowbars;
  • Canned goods;

Law enforcement will work diligently and cooperatively to ensure the safety and security of all residents of and visitors to the City of Cleveland both in the event zone and throughout the city’s neighborhoods on Sept. 29, 2020.  The City of Cleveland recognizes citizens’ First Amendment rights to free speech and peaceful demonstration and will support those who choose to voice their opinions in a lawful manner. Violence and illegal activity will not be tolerated. Members of the public are invaluable partners to law enforcement as they are our eyes and ears. If you see something, say something.

Report illegal and suspicious behavior to police.  Information and crime tips can be provided to Crimestoppers by calling 216-25-CRIME.

City of Cleveland to Receive Support from Ohio National Guard

The Cleveland Division of Police has a security plan in place for the presidential debate as is the case for all planned large scale events. In accordance with the security plan created specifically for this event, Mayor Frank G. Jackson reached out to Governor Mike DeWine to request the assistance of the Ohio National Guard. Governor DeWine granted approval of the deployment of the Ohio National Guard to ensure the safety of the residents of and visitors to the City of Cleveland during the course of the upcoming event.

About the City of Cleveland

The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life of its residents by strengthening neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing diversity and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, play, and do business. For more information on the City of Cleveland, visit online at www.clevelandohio.gov, Twitter at @cityofcleveland, Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofcleveland, or on our blog at clecityhall.com.

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