The Orthodox Union has asked for the dates of the presidential debates to be switched because they conflict with Sukkot and Shabbat. In a letter sent to the Commission on Presidential Debates earlier this month, the O.U. requested that the commission modify its debate schedule so observant Jews could be accommodated. “While we appreciate the fact that the commission cannot plan these debates to ensure every citizen is available to view the debates, we feel this circumstance particularly impacts upon the Orthodox Jewish community as a group,” the letter said. Observant Jews do not watch television on holy days. Thursday’s debate conflicts with the Sukkot holiday, and a debate on Oct. 8 falls during Shabbat. A Democratic primary debate, not put on by the commission, was changed last year because it fell on Sukkot, to accommodate observant candidate Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.). The
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