The DNC is warning 2020 candidates not to curse on the air during the upcoming Democratic debate on Thursday

AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Beto O'Rourke

• The Democratic National Committee sent out an email to the 2020 Democratic presidential campaigns reminding them not to use "foul language" in the upcoming Democratic debate this Thursday.
• The email, obtained by $4 and $4, reminded candidates that the debate, hosted by ABC News, will be pursuant to Federal Communications Commission regulations that fine networks for excessive swearing on air.
• Former Rep. $4 of Texas, in particular, is known for his liberal use of the F-bomb, so much so that it even became the subject of an attack ad against him during his 2018 Senate run in Texas.
• In recent weeks, O'Rourke has employed the four-letter-word in the context of discussing gun violence  after two deadly mass shootings took place in El Paso and Odessa, Texas. 
• $4

The Democratic National Committee sent out an email to the 2020 Democratic presidential campaigns reminding them not to use "foul language" in the upcoming Democratic debate set for Thursday, September 12 in Houston.

The email, obtained by $4 and $4, reminded candidates that the debate, hosted by ABC News, will be pursuant to Federal Communications Commission regulations that fine networks for excessive swearing on air. 

"We will not be broadcasting on any delay, so there will be no opportunity to edit out foul language," the email said. "Candidates should, therefore, avoid cursing or expletives in accordance with federal law and FCC guidelines."

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The DNC's previous debate partners, MSNBC and CNN, are not subject to the same FCC guidelines and did not send out a similar reminder before their respective debates in June and July, $4.

It used to be extremely unusual and taboo for politicians - much less presidential candidates - to openly curse. But with his penchant for demeaning and insulting opponents, President $4 has drastically changed the norms of what is acceptable behavior for politicians. 

Former Rep. $4 of Texas, in particular, is known for his liberal use of the F-bomb, so much so that it even became the subject of an attack ad against him during his 2018 Senate run in Texas.

In recent weeks, O'Rourke has employed the four-letter-word in the context of discussing gun violence and what he perceives as dangerous inaction by the Republican Party.

This summer, Texas experienced a mass shooting that killed 21 people in El Paso - O'Rourke's hometown - on August 3 and another shooting spree in Odessa that killed eight people and injured two dozen others on August 31. 

In the wake of the El Paso shooting - which is being prosecuted as an act of domestic terrorism - $4 when a reporter asked him if there was anything Trump could do to make the situation better. 

"What do you think? You know the s--- he's been saying. He's been calling Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals. I don't know, like members of the press, what the f---? Hold on a second, you know, I ... it's these questions that you know the answers to," O'Rourke admonished. 

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And after the Odessa shooting, O'Rourke $4 saying, "We're averaging about 300 mass shootings a year. No other country comes close. So yes, this is f--- up."

$4, including Sen. $4 and Rep. $4 have also described gun violence in America and the lack of a substantive Republican response as "bulls---" and told the GOP to "get their s--- together on the issue." 

And former presidential candidate Sen. $4 of New York found herself in hot water for saying "if we're not helping people, we should go the f--- home" back in the summer of 2017. 

$4 saying, "profanity is not the f-bomb. Profanity is a 17-month old baby being shot in the face," quoting a rabbi's rival tweet. "Let's speak clearly, and bluntly, and use decisive language."