#primary debates

With the 2020 Democratic presidential debates in full swing, gun violence prevention experts want moderators of upcoming debates to ask candidates fact-based questions about firearm policy. 

In the past, gun safety platforms have failed to break through during both primary and general presidential debates. In this election cycle, moderator Chuck Todd did bring up gun safety during the first democratic presidential primary debate on June 26, but he adopted a right-wing talking point that strengthening gun laws would require confiscation of people’s privately owned firearms, serving as an example of how not to question the candidates about their platforms. 

Media Matters asked several gun safety experts how they’d like to see future debate moderators tackle questions about gun policy—here are some of their responses.

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the world, and polling shows that American voters rank climate change as a top concern this election cycle.

It’s crucial that during the presidential debates, voters hear the candidates’ positions and policy proposals on climate change. Ahead of the first Democratic primary debates next week, here are some ways that the debate moderators can center climate change in their questions.