Take a look at this and tell me why you think the folx at CNN went with mutable mics for tonight's debate in Atlanta.
If we go behind the podiums, you can see two green lights. When they're on, they signal to the candidate his microphone is on; when the green lights are off, they signal to the candidate his microphone is off.
I'll just go ahead and assume they've got these special mics in place because they don't want their ratings to spike too much on a Thursday night.
Here are some more of the rules CNN put in place.
The candidates' microphones will be muted unless it's their turn to speak. There will be no live studio audience to react to zingers or other "moments" during the 90-minutes, a first since the 1960 debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
There will be two commercial breaks, though Trump and Biden won't be able to consult with their teams during them. The candidates are not allowed any props or prewritten notes, and will only be given a pen, paper and water.
A CNN coin flip won by Biden means he will stand at a lectern on the the right-side of the stage while Trump will be on the left, though Trump will get the last word by delivering his closing statement second.
I know we're supposed to see these rules as anti-Trump or whatever, but I can't help but look into my crystal ball and see the rules having a negative impact on the most popular president in history.
Interestingly enough, this will be the first-ever presidential debate between an incumbent and a former president.
The debate starts at 9 p.m. EST, so get your popcorn ready, people.
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