Last minute Change to tonight’s debate rules after Crowley controversy

The Commission on Presidential Debates has announced a last minute change to the rules for tonight’s debate, presumably due to the controversy started by moderator Candy Crowley’s remarks that she intended to play  a more central role than the rules allowed.

A follow-up discussion will now be added that will be directed by the moderator. This gives Crowley the latitude she felt she should have in the debate.

The change came after both campaigns sent letters of complaint to the commission after Crowley announced her intention to be more important than the rules allowed.

While the change is unlikely to drastically affect the debate outcome, it is something neither of the candidates could have prepared for with such short notice.

With these recent changes, the moderator is likely to become a much bigger part of the debate story than the town hall format intended.