In preparations for next month's presidential debate, ABC News has put forward a proposal to mute the microphones of candidates when they are not speaking, according to rules obtained by Axios. However, Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign has yet to accept these rules, stating that they are still in discussions with ABC News regarding the final regulations.

The question of muted microphones has become a significant point of contention between the campaigns this week. In addition to the muted mics, ABC News is also planning to have no live audience or opening statements. Furthermore, candidates will not be permitted to have props or pre-written notes on stage.

Both campaigns have been engaged in a back-and-forth exchange this week, deliberating over the rules for the upcoming September 10th showdown. Former President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that an agreement had been reached between his campaign and Vice President Harris' campaign regarding the terms of the debate.

The disagreement primarily revolved around whether the microphones should remain active during the debate on ABC News. While the two campaigns worked towards finding common ground, tensions among competing factions within Harris' campaign have also been observed. Loyalists of Harris and Obama alumni have been integrated into what was initially President Biden's campaign, creating a complex and occasionally unwieldy team, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Amidst these developments, the Harris campaign is launching an advertising blitz that seeks to link former President Trump to "Project 2025," a conservative vision for significantly expanding the power of the government. This move echoes President Biden's strategy of aggressively associating Trump with the conservative plan for governing, portraying him as a threat.

The outcome of the ongoing discussions between the Harris campaign and ABC News will shed light on the final rules and format of the upcoming presidential debate. As the debate date draws nearer, the focus will intensify on how the candidates are given a fair and controlled platform to present their respective visions for the nation's future.