The upcoming televised debates between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton figure to be must-watch television — assuming they happen.
Trump has criticized the timing of this year's debates, two of which will compete for viewers with nationally televised football games.
Trump has also expressed concern about the debate moderators, who will be named by early September. He says he might seek to negotiate some details, fueling speculation he could choose to skip one or all of the debates.
What's this year's schedule?
Clinton and Trump are scheduled to participate in three 90-minute debates:
• Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. Moderator poses questions during six 15-minute segments on different topics.
• Oct. 9 at Washington University in St. Louis. Audience of uncommitted voters poses questions, as does a moderator using "social media and other sources."
• Oct. 19 at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Format similar to first debate.
Running mates Tim Kaine and Mike Pence are scheduled to debate on Oct. 4 at Longwood University in FarmÂville, Va.
Who sets the schedule?
Starting with the 1988 presidential election, the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates has arranged presidential and vice presidential debates and secured sponsorships from companies and foundations. The Republican and Democratic parties created the commission in 1987 because, as the commission writes, the "hastily arranged" debates in 1984 "reinforced a mounting concern that, in any given election," the candidates might fail to face off.
The commission generally is open to negotiating with the candidates over details such as whether they will stand or sit and who gets the first question. Larger matters, such as dates and the identity of moderators, have generally not been open to negotiation after being set by the commission.
The commission has no role in the primary debates.
Will third-party candidates be included?
Only if they become more popular, and quickly. Under the debate commission's rules, candidates need to be drawing an average of 15 percent of the vote in five national political polls in order to win a spot on stage.
Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson is drawing about 10 percent of the vote, and Green candidate Jill Stein is around 4.5 percent.
How important will the debates be?
Though most voters could be already decided by then — and two states, Minnesota and South Dakota, start early voting three days before the first debate — the debates might be Trump's best chance to narrow the lead that Clinton has opened in most polls since the party conventions.
He was an effective debater during the crowded Republican primaries, labeling his opponents with unflattering nicknames and usually grabbing more than his share of microphone time. But a one-on-one debate will be a different challenge for Trump, requiring greater mastery of policy and a more polished demeanor. He also showed a willingness to skip a debate when he felt that served his purposes.
