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CNN Debate at the Reagan Library--Main Debate Reactions
Wednesday,
September 16, 2015
| Jeb 2016 Inc. |
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| Chris Christie for President |
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| Carly for America |
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| Huckabee for President |
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| New Day for America |
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| Rand Paul for President |
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| Marco Rubio for President |
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| Scott Walker Inc. |
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| Republican National Committee |
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| Democratic National Committee |
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| Bernie 2016 |
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| Correct the Record |
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| American Bridge 21st Century |
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| NextGen Climate |
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| CNN |
Jeb
2016 Inc.
What They're Saying About…
“Reaganesque”
“Chris Christie Has Been Solid Tonight. Always Bringing It Back To The People Watching”
______________________________
Breitbart News’ Charlie Spiering: “Christie gets the last word. Strong debate performance”
Dana Perino: “Christie packing a punch”
The Washington Post’s James Hohmann: “Christie's I'm-on-your-side close is Reaganesque.”
The Daily Caller’s Matt Lewis: “Christie having a good moment.”
New Hampshire Union Leader’s Drew Cline: “Really good moment for Christie.”
The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: “Chris Christie = good.”
FiveThirtyEight’s Ben Casselman: “Chris Christie seems to be the only one interested in hitting Obama on his economic stewardship.”
Matt Mackowiak: “Very strong first answer from Christie.”
Weekly Standard’s Mark Hemingway: “Christie killing it so far.”
Yahoo Politics: “Chris Christie is right: The middle class is sucking wind”
National Review’s Rich Lowry: “Christie has been sharp tonight”
NBC’s Chuck Todd: “Christie with a strong definition of what "pro-life" means to him. He's had a very good night.”
The Iowa Republican’s Craig Robinson: “Really impressed with @GovChristie tonight.”
The Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter: “You gotta give Christie credit. He's been very good tonight.”
Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade: “#gopdebate..i think @GovChristie is winning people over tonight @foxandfriends”
Ford O'Connell: “Say what you want about @ChrisChristie but he is on his game tonight!”
The Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart: “Chris Christie has been solid tonight. Always bringing it back to the people watching.”
CNN’s Heather Long: “In 90 minutes, most substantive comment on economy goes to #Christie: "Put tax reform on the president’s desk. Make him veto it."
CNN: “Winners...Chris Christie...he still found key moments to shine and show off the spark that made him a national figure.”
The New York Times’ Jonathan Martin: “...Christie shows his Christie fire…”
Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter: “A strong Christie performance 2nite.”
CNN’s Ben Ferguson: “VERY GOOD STUFF from @ChrisChristie on that question!”
CNN’s John Avlon: “Strong Chris Christie closing statement”
The Boston Globe’s James Pindell: “.@ChrisChristie has the best close”
The New York Times’ Nick Corasaniti: “Christie has been able to talk about his key issues this debate: entitlement reform, drug rehabilitation and immigration”
“Gov. Chris Christie Turns The Presidential Debate To The Middle Class”
Washington Examiner: “Christie Defeats CNN's Debate Ploy”
The Washington Post: “It was one of Christie’s most notable moments - not just in the debate, but in his entire campaign…”
- - “All in all, it was vintage Christie. An outspoken retort reminiscent of the town halls that made him a national start.”
CNN’s Ashley Killough: “Chris Christie attempts to be adult in the room: Let's stop this "childish" back and forth between Fiorina and Trump over their careers”
BBC’s Katty Kay: “Good point from Christie - too long on Fiorina and Trumps' careers. Gets cheers.”
Washington Examiner: “Christie to Trump, Fiorina: 'Americans don't care about your careers”
Red Alert Politics: “Gov. Chris Christie turns the presidential debate to the middle class”
CNBC’s John Harwood: “quite good @ChrisChristie rebuttal to Trump/Fiorina "childish back and forth" - invoking struggles of middle class”
National Review’s Ramesh Ponnuru: “Christie was right though to sense that the Trump-Fiorina dispute has gone on a bit too long. Fiorina adjusting now.”
The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman: “And Christie, now making the point that people don’t really want to hear a battle of corporate executives, is turning it to the right point.”
CNN’s S.E. Cupp: “Christie to Trump and Carly: ‘To the 55 yr old construction worker who doesn't have a job, they couldn't care less about your careers.’
Las Vegas Review Journal’s Steve Sebelius: “Sorry, I’m with Chris Christie on this. Most of what’s been discussed here tonight don’t affect real problems of average people. Too bad.”
NBC’s Kristen Welker: “Good moment for @GovChristie. Inserts himself into the Trump/Fiorina fight, says they shud be talking about workers not their own careers.”
Reno Gazette-Journal’s Ray Hagar:
“.@ChrisChristie makes a good point that nobody cares about Trump and
Fiorina's past careers. "Stop this childish back and forth," he says”
September 17, 2015 5:34 p.m.
What They're Saying About…
“Christie Managed To Be That
Voice Of The Common Person”
Christie “Brought It Back To What The Debate Should Be About Which Is The Middle Class And Helping The American People”
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Charles Krauthammer: “Christie had a good night. Christie, I think rose above expectations. He showed himself to be controlled but really strong. He held his own on several issues. He's able to debate and he had a bit of humor.” (Fox News, 9/16/15)
The Weekly Standard’s Stephen Hayes: “I didn't think this was a great night for the Governors with the exception for Chris Christie. I thought Christie did pretty well. He distinguished himself, he jumped into several exchanges, he sort of redefined other exchanges.” (Fox News, 9/16/15)
Howard Kurtz: “A very strong moment by the Governor of New Jersey because there was so much back and forth encouraged by the moderator Jake Tapper that it was a way of pivoting the conversation back to you the voter. For some people who might be tired by all the sniping.” (Fox News, 9/16/15)
Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade: “I was fascinated by the fact that Governor Chris Christie, who kept with one theme, it was about the people. From the first time he said reverse the cameras and look at the people, he kept with that theme.” (Fox News, 9/17/15)
Fox News’ Elizabeth Hasselback: “When it came to jobs and it came to security, he was able to reshift focus back to the man and woman out there looking for a job who maybe didn't have one, who wanted some straight talk there.” (Fox News, 9/17/15)
Focus Group Voter: “He seemed very genuine. There was bickering going back and forth between Fiorina and Trump and he brought it back to what the debate should be about which is the middle class and helping the American people.” (Fox News, 9/17/15)
Focus Group Voter: “In the group, her and Chris Christie were the only ones who didn’t seem flustered under pressure, everyone else did.” (Fox News, 9/17/15)
Frank Luntz: “He said it several times in the debate and the reaction was exactly the same. He is the only candidate of the people standing up there that kept saying - look, it's not about my background, it's not about what I've done, it's about what you need. He referenced middle class voters and people are waiting eagerly, anxiously for a candidate who doesn't try to sell themselves on the voter but instead says to the voter I get you, I understand you and empathize with you and now I'm going to fight for you. It was one of the highest moments of the debate.” (CBS, 9/17/15)
Nicolle Wallace: “Chris Christie introduced himself the most effective way of the night. … He did what every candidate needs to do, he made it about the people, not about himself. He had a great night.” (NBC, 9/17/15)
Jeff Sonnenfeld: “I think Chris Christie absolutely got his voice back and he stole what Trump wanted – which was to be the voice of the oppressed middle class. Trump has a very good tax package to address that issue. He hardly got to it on substance, being distracted by style issues, whereas Christie managed to be the voice of the common person.” (CNBC, 9/17/15)
NBC News’ Kasie Hunt: “I also think we learned that there's a little bit of fight left in Chris Christie. he's somebody who -- you know we saw the flashes of the old New Jersey governor who really enjoys getting into it, enjoys mixing it up, and he's somebody who actually, you know, turned the conversation back to what he described as regular working people on a number of occasions. I think hitting in a way that was authentic to him, that same note that's driving these anti-establishment candidates.” (MSNBC, 9/17/15)
CNN’s Jeff Zeleny: “I thought it was pretty effective. I think it was one of Chris Christie's better moments, because I think he’s right. Most people sitting at home, most voters, hard to be all that sympathetic to Carly Fiorina, Donald Trump, sort of the back and forth. It was a little bit in the weeds. I thought it was a good moment for Chris Christie. Kind of like the side of Chris Christie, the bully we like to see. The kind of a nice bully who is sticking up for the kid.” (CNN, 9/17/15)
CNN’s Athena Jones: “He really had to make the most of what ends up being a limited amount of time for each of these candidates and he did that from the very beginning by trying to show that he's for the people. He's for the voters. He cares more about them than he does about talking about himself.” (CNN, 9/17/15)
Larry Sabato: “Chris Christie was very near the point of being eliminated. I have to say though he had a good, solid performance last night, and he had several of those moments, notice in your clips he’s included. That is what a candidate wants the day after a debate. He or she wants to be included in the summary.” (Fox News, 9/17/15)
MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski: “A lot of good answers and a lot of candidates really shined last night. I mean, I talk about Carly, but actually Chris Christie … had a great night.” (MSNBC, 9/17/15)
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough: “Chris Christie did well. I thought he did great.” (MSNBC, 9/17/15)
IJReview: “If You’re Wondering Whose Final Answer Won Google, One Candidate Stands Well Above the Rest” (IJReview, 9/17/15)
CNN’s Brianna Keilar: “Here's what [independent dial testers] did like. This is Chris Christie when he was talking, and this is their response when he called out Fiorina and Donald Trump on that back and forth and instead focused his ire on Hillary Clinton.” (CNN, 9/17/15)
Joe Trippi: “I think Chris Christie did himself a lot of good as well.” (Fox News, 9/16/15)
David Axelrod: “[Christie] a very strong night, very strong performance tonight.” (Fox News, 9/16/15)
CNN’s Nia-Malika Henderson: “Chris Christie I thought did well. He had a sense of personality.” (CNN, 9/16/15)
CNBC’s John Harwood: “Chris Christie who had a strong performance as well.” (CNBC, 9/16/15)
Asbury Park Press: “Christie Scores In Presidential Debate” (Asbury Park Press, 9/17/15)
Fox News: “New Jersey Gov.Chris Christie had a similarly good showing when he talked about the fighting between Trump and Fiorina as a distraction from real issues.” (Fox News, 9/17/15)
Fox News’ Jessica Tarlov: “Chris Christie won that exchange. I think there is a strong argument to be made for Chris Christie to get some extra backing now to say, enough, we are all successful up here. We’ve all done well. You wouldn't be running for President if you weren't, but let's talk about the middle class. Let's talk about the average voter and the guy who doesn't have a job the guy who lost his job and is struggling. Chris Christie, I thought he did really well.” (Fox News, 9/17/15)
Carly Fiorina Just Won the Debate – Again
Huckabee for President
Huckabee wins GOP debate with fiery optimism at
Reagan Library
Huckabee: "Reagan didn't tell everyone how great he was. He got elected telling the American people how great they were. And he empowered them to live their dreams."
KASICH IS A REAL LEADER
September 16, 2015 - New Day for America Executive Director Matt Carle released the following statement in response to Wednesday night’s Republican presidential primary debate:
"Tonight John Kasich proved, once again, why he's the only candidate who can beat the Democrats in 2016. While others bickered and played politics on stage, Gov. Kasich looked and acted like a real leader because he IS a real leader. He's the only candidate who has brought all sides together to move our country forward. He is the only candidate with the national security experience needed to keep us safe. Others talk about what they would do but John Kasich shows us what he has done, and will do again, to lift all Americans."
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Sen. Rand Paul's Debate Performance
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Rand Paul Stands Out With Common Sense Foreign Policy and Bold Tax Plan
Everyone Agrees: Marco "Clear Winner"
Stephen Hayes: Marco Rubio the Clear Winner
@HotlineJosh: Three clear winners, IMO: 1) Fiorina; 2) Rubio; 3) Christie.@TheFix: Best: Fiorina, Cruz, Rubio
@WillCarrFNC: Winners - Fiorina, Rubio, who else?? #GOPDebate
Rich Lowry: Rubio is very good. Every single answer got applause. He is such a smooth communicator.
Fox News’ Carl Cameron: Marco Rubio a short while ago went on a lengthy foreign policy discussion and showed that he, too, has a lot to offer in terms of international relations.
TWEETS...
@JohnKingCNN: Incoming from
conservative activists so far: @CarlyFiorina @marcorubio getting ++
reviews.
@EWErickson: Rubio is just hitting home runs all night.
@SykesCharlie: Unscientific poll of American women: my wife is pretty jazzed about Fiorina and Rubio.
@JeffreyGoldberg: Rubio and Fiorina seem to have done well for themselves tonight.
@FinnyGo: . Both @marcorubio & @CarlyFiorina showed real strength in their debate performances tonight in Ronald Reagan's Simi Valley. #GOPDebate
ON FOREIGN POLICY...
International Business Times: “Marc continues to win points on stage during the GOP presidential debates. Rubio's remarks on foreign policy earned him praise from pundits Wednesday night during a prime-time debate moderated by CNN. Asked about the Syria intervention, Rubio said he opposed Obama's use of force in the past because the tactics are a "pin prick." Instead, he said the military is designed to use more force and ‘should only be engaged to win.’ ‘We are not going to authorize use of force if you're not putting the [US military] in a position to win,’ Rubio said. Pundits applauded the impassioned response about the US military. ‘Rubio also admirably passionate on putting our troops abroad in a position to win,’ Ann Coulter tweeted.” (International Business Times, 09/16/15)
FOREIGN POLICY TWEETS…
@ABCPolitics: .@MarcoRubio emphasizes importance of foreign policy knowledge in #GOPDebate
@JohnRoberts: @MarcoRubio showing strong command of foreign policy and not afraid to voice his opinion about what he believes is the right thing to do
@RalstonReports: Rubio is crushing it. And he's right: Ask Trump detailed foreign policy questions as his new best friend Hugh did.
@SethAMandel: On foreign policy, it's Rubio's show. No surprise there, but there's no one on that stage that comes close.
Scott Walker for America Campaign Manager Rick Wiley Statement on Tonight’s Debate
“Gov. Walker wore his Harley boots tonight, and it showed. He delivered a flawless performance, winning the debate by aggressively outlining his plans to wreak havoc on the status quo in Washington and reminding people of his unmatched record of leadership and achievement in Wisconsin. He put Donald Trump in his place early on, and the billionaire never recovered. Even when he wasn’t speaking, Walker’s ideas – terminating the Obama-Clinton Iran deal and canceling China’s state visit – dominated the discussion. Whether highlighting the successful, conservative reforms he’s implemented as governor or his plans to repeal Obamacare, create jobs and keep America safe as president, Walker’s message was clear: He will fight and win for the American people and he is ready to do it on day one. As the campaign progresses, we look forward to sharing that message with more and more voters across the nation.”
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RNC Statement On CNN/Salem Republican Presidential Primary Debates
“Tonight, the country saw a healthy and robust debate from the most diverse and qualified field of candidates in the history of either party. There should be no doubt that the Republican Party’s nomination process will be a true competition, and voters will be the ones who decide our nominee.
“It’s a stark contrast with the Democrat Party establishment, which is rigging their debates and would rather coronate Hillary Clinton.
“Americans want new ideas, new leadership and a new direction from their next President. Any one of our highly qualified candidates would be a better president than Hillary Clinton and offer the new direction Americans want and need."
DNC Response to the Second GOP Debate
“Miss the GOP debate? Lots of attacks on women, immigrants, other Republicans and even a Reagan adviser, but not a single serious policy proposal that would help the middle class.” — DNC National Press Secretary Holly ShulmanWhat Twitter had to say about tonight's GOP debate
The second Republican debate just ended and what did we hear from the 2016 GOPers? More of the same outdated and out-of-touch policies that would hurt middle class families and our country as a whole.Don’t just take our word for it; look at what folks on Twitter had to say:
@tomamoran: .@GovChristie flubs immigration question, talks like a mini trump. How is that going to lift him from 1 percent zone?
@PPact: Fact Check: @ScottWalker defunding of PP resulted in disruption of 18,800 health services for Wisconsinites. #GOPDebate
@amyrosenberg: @ChrisChristie totally dodged he Atlantic City question again! It's not about Donald Trump's career, he says. #GOPDebate
@wpjenna: Where's Scott Walker? After an aggressive, passionate start, he has once again faded into the background...
@RGJRayHagar: Scott Walker totally avoids the question about raising the minimum wage. #GOPDebate
@RGJRayHagar: If his campaign depends on his showing tonight, look for Scott Walker to drop out of the race soon. #GOPdebate
@ZekeJMiller: Rubio says he's missed votes in DC because DC is out of touch. hm...
@ktumulty: Shorter @marcorubio: I'm not doing the job I was elected to do, because I'm trying to get elected to another job.
@ChrisMegerian: Hugh Hewitt notes Jeb Bush's foreign policy advisers are “a lot of the band getting back together again" from other Bush administrations
@BuzzFeedAndrew: "I am my own man," - Jeb Bush convincing no one.
@FranPelayo: @MarcoRubio says he has missed votes in the U.S. Senate because he´s running for president #GOPDebate
@CandaceSmith_: Jeb Bush: I'm my own man' after admitting that many of his foreign policy advisors served his brother and father.
@NickKristof: The problem with Jeb Bush's notion that his brother "kept us safe" is that more Americans died in Iraq
@RGJRayHagar: .@JebBush always looks bad defending his bro's foreign policy.
@scontorno: No, Chris Christie was not appointed the day before 9/11. http://www.politifact.com/new-
@BuzzFeedAndrew: Trump is lying. I've seen no articles of him being against Iraq before the war. He did NOT fight it.
@kwingfieldajc: Not winning formula RT @TheFix: Chris Christie and Jeb Bush have had their best moments of the debate by praising George W. Bush. #CNNDebate
@myhlee: .@GovChristie wasn't made US attorney Sept 10, 2001. He was confirmed Dec '01, started Jan '02. #CNNdebate #GOPdebate
@JRubinBlogger: Cruz is so bad even Jeb got the better of him
@DNAtv: Marco Rubio concerned tackling #climatechange will make it hard for bizness. Because rising seas & storms are economic gifts. #GOPDebate
Bernie 2016
‘Waiting, Waiting, Waiting,’ Sanders Says as Republicans Don’t Debate Real Issues
WASHINGTON – As Republican presidential candidates debated on Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders took to Twitter at #DebateWithBernie to take on the White House hopefuls for ignoring critical issues.“Rich get richer. Median family income $5k less than in 1999. One of the highest rates of childhood poverty. Any discussion?” he asked as the debate droned on. “Have you heard anyone use the word poverty yet? 47.7 million Americans living in poverty. No discussion.” Still later he tweeted: “Waiting, waiting, waiting. Will we hear anything about racial justice, income inequality or making college affordable?”
Nearly two hours into the debate, the conversation briefly turned to an important issue: raising the $7.25 hourly minimum wage. “The American people overwhelmingly want to raise the minimum wage. Too bad the Republicans don’t,” Sanders tweeted. He has introduced legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020.
During a back-and-forth on foreign policy, Sanders asked, “Gee. How come these guys are not talking about the great ‘success’ of Bush's foreign policy and the war in Iraq?” A few minutes later he wondered, “Can these guys talk about anything other than their desire to go to war?” During a discussion about a proposed deal to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, Sanders wrote, “War, war, war. When do we get to their other major priority: tax breaks for billionaires?”
Missing from the exchanges was perhaps the greatest international crisis facing the planet. “Will they talk about climate change as a foreign policy issue? Or talk about it at all?” They finally did. It turned out that not one of them believes that the United States government should lead the world in combating climate change and transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels.
On domestic issues, Republicans wanted to take away health care for women and marriage rights from gays.
The candidates were asked about a Kentucky county clerk defying a court order and refusing to issue marriage licenses to gays. “Does anybody on the stage believe that our gay brothers and sisters have the same rights as the rest of us?” Sanders wondered. “Anybody?”
The Republicans also called for defunding Planned Parenthood. “Does anyone on that stage believe the women of this country have the right to control their own bodies? Anyone?” Sanders asked.
Some of Sanders’ most popular tweets were about Republican front-runner Donald Trump. “Trump: ‘I will take care of women.’ Really? What about respecting the right of women to control their own bodies?” Sanders said. As the front-runner smirked and ridiculed his challengers, Sanders said of Trump: “What a pleasant and humble person. Can't stop saying kind and generous things about his fellow Republicans."
Sanders gave up after more than two and a half hours. “Thank you all. I've had it. I'm going home. Talk to you soon.” He ended the night with a Facebook post: “The evening was really pretty sad. This country and our planet face enormous problems. And the Republican candidates barely touched upon them tonight. And when they did, they were dead wrong on virtually every position they took. The Republican Party cannot be allowed to lead this country. That's why we need a political revolution.”
CORRECT THE RECORD STATEMENT ON THE GOP’S BROKEN RECORD DEBATE
“If you tuned into the debate for a circus sideshow led by an orange-haired carnival barker, you got what you wanted tonight. But if you were hoping for new ideas—or anything other than extreme, out of touch, blast-from-the-past policies—tonight was a huge disappointment,” said Brad Woodhouse, President of Correct The Record.
“On stage was a collection of candidates who are so extreme that they are willing to win the Republican primary at the expense of winning the general election. They are hostile to immigrants, bigots towards LGBT Americans, saber rattlers for more wars in the Middle East, and climate change deniers. Fundamentally, they are intolerant of the notion that women should be allowed to make health care decisions for themselves. This crop of Republican candidates is so extreme they’d make the man whose name emblazons the library where they debated tonight blush.”
“While Hillary Clinton is offering ideas to move our country forward and improve the lives of ordinary Americans, Republicans are just offering more of the same extreme and divisive rhetoric we’ve heard in the past. From immigration to women’s rights to the economy and beyond, the Republican field has proven once again that, even with their supposed top 11 aspirants at the podium, it does not have a single candidate who is fit to govern.”
Correct The Record is a strategic research and rapid response team designed to defend Hillary Clinton from baseless attacks.
KO'd: Jessica Mackler & American Bridge On Tonight's GOP Debate
- The Donald re-upped his "Low Energy Person" Jeb Jab, with a backhanded compliment on Bush's snooze-fest-inducing tedium: "More energy tonight -- I like that."
- But even when things got most heated -- even when prompted to go after Trump -- Jeb still mostly just tiptoed around him.
- And when Jeb did try to go after Trump, well -- just take a look.
- The Donald spared no one, going after Marco Rubio for having missed more votes than any other Senator running for president.
- John Kasich eagerly added that he'd like to defund Planned Parenthood.
NextGen Climate
STATEMENT FROM TOM STEYER
# # #
September 17, 2015
CNN DEBATE HAS BIGGEST RATINGS IN CNN HISTORY
23 MILLION TUNE IN FOR REPUBLICAN DEBATE ON TELEVISION
ADDITIONAL 4.5 MILLION LIVE VIDEO STREAMS
Prior to last night’s debate, CNN’s highest rated presidential primary debate was the California Democratic debate on January 31, 2008 which averaged 8.3 million viewers.
CNN’s most-watched program ever was a special “Larry King Live” with Ross Perot and Al Gore with 16.8 million total viewers (11/9/93).
In the early debate, CNN averaged 6.3 million viewers. Fox News’ early debate averaged 6.1 million.
Tapping its TV Everywhere service CNNgo, CNN live streamed the debate on CNN.com and through its mobile apps. At 9:45 pm, usage peaked at 921,000 concurrent live streams. The day saw 4.5 million live video starts of the debate across its digital platforms.
Copyright © 2015 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action.
All rights reserved.