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Primary Debates and Forums


CNN Debate at the Reagan Library
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015 at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA.
About  |  More Pre-Debate

Main Debate
L-R: Paul, Huckabee, Rubio, Cruz, Carson, Trump, Bush, Walker, Fiorina, Kasich, Christie.                                     Screen grab from CNN

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 8:00-11:00 p.m. E.T.

Post-Debate  |  video  |  transcript (2

Sponsors:  CNN and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

Candidates:  Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump and Scott Walker.  [11 total]

Moderator:  CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper; and questioning from Salem Radio Network talk show host Hugh Hewitt and and CNN's chief political correspondent Dana Bash.

Audience:  A few hundred people.

Broadcast: Live exclusively on CNN, CNN International and CNN Español; streamed online and across CNN’s mobile platforms.  Salem Communications aired the debate live through their broadcast radio stations.

Format:  One minute answers and 30-second rebuttals.

Overview:  The original qualifying requirements would have excluded Carly Fiorina; her supporters waged a concerted effort to get her on the stage, and on Sept. 10 CNN announced she would be included.  All eyes continued to be on Donald Trump.  This was a three-hour long debate.


Undercard Debate
L-R: Pataki, Santorum, Jindal, Graham                                                                                                                           Screen grab from CNN

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 6:00-7:45 p.m. E.T.

Post-Debate  |  video  |  transcript

Sponsors:  CNN and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

Candidates:  Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, George Pataki, and Rick Santorum.

Moderator:  CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper; and questioning from Salem Radio Network talk show host Hugh Hewitt and and CNN's chief political correspondent Dana Bash.

Audience:  There was an audience.  (In his introduction, Sen. Graham joked, "One, thanks, CNN, for having people at this debate.")

Broadcast:  Live exclusively on CNN, CNN International and CNN Español; streamed online and across CNN’s mobile platforms.  Salem Communications aired the debate live through their broadcast radio stations.

Format:  One minute to answer questions and 30 seconds for followups and rebuttals.

Overview:  Former Gov. Rick Perry qualified but ended his campaign on Sept. 11 leaving four candidates to participate.



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