A newspaper had set up a debate for Republican candidates, but only wanted Reagan and Bush. Reagan felt this was unfair to the other challengers, as did the Federal Election Commission.
Reagan's campaign offered to pay for a full debate with all challengers and the newspaper accepted. When Reagan arrived, there were only two seats - for him and Bush.
Reagan was trying to get this straightened out when the moderator from the newspaper ordered somebody to turn off Reagan's microphone, to which Reagan replied that he was paying for the debate.
A newspaper had set up a debate for Republican candidates, but only wanted Reagan and Bush. Reagan felt this was unfair to the other challengers, as did the Federal Election Commission.
Reagan's campaign offered to pay for a full debate with all challengers and the newspaper accepted. When Reagan arrived, there were only two seats - for him and Bush.
Reagan was trying to get this straightened out when the moderator from the newspaper ordered somebody to turn off Reagan's microphone, to which Reagan replied that he was paying for the debate.
That's not what happened. Reagan offered to debate Bush one on one, and bushwhacked him by bringing all the other primary candidates to the event.
Thank you for the correction!