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Primary Debates and Forums


CNN/Facebook Republican Presidential Debate 
Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at The Venetian Las Vegas in Las Vegas.
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Main Debate

L-R: Kaisich, Fiorina, Rubio, Carson, Trump, Cruz, Bush, Christie and Paul.                                                                                      CNN 

Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 8:30 - 11:00 p.m. E.T.

Post-Debate  |  video, 2  transcript

Sponsors:  CNN, Facebook and Salem Media Group.

Candidates: Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump.  [9 total]

ModeratorCNN Lead Political Ancher Wolf Blitzer, joined by CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash and Salem Radio Network radio host Hugh Hewitt.

Audience:  About 1,300.

Broadcast:  "The debate will air live exclusively on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Español. CNN will also offer a live stream of the debate on CNN.com’s Home Page and across mobile platforms.  All users will be able to watch live CNN TV online and on their mobile devices without logging in. This live event will give viewers access to the debate across all platforms to showcase the value of TV Everywhere. In addition, Salem Radio Network will air the debate live through their broadcast radio stations."

Format:  Candidates had one minute and fifteen seconds to respond to questions and 30 seconds for follow ups and rebuttals.  One-minute introductions and 30-second closing statements.

Overview:  This was the fifth Republican debate. 

After considerable criticism about use of national polls to determine who would participate in past debates, CNN adjusted its criteria to take into account how candidates were faring in Iowa and NH polls.  It appeared that Sen. Rand Paul might be bumped to the undercard debate, but a late FOX poll put him on the main stage.  Gov. Chris Christie returned to the main stage after appearing in the undercard debate last time.

Since the last debate in Milwaukee on Nov. 10 the terrorist attacks in Paris, France on the evening of Nov. 13 and the mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif. on Dec. 2 occurred.  This debate focused on national security, and moderator Wolf Blitzer kept the candidates focused squarely on those issues. 

Many of the candidates turned in strong performances.  There were a lot of sharp exchanges, for example between Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio on metadata, military intervention and immigration.  Jeb Bush drew notice for directly taking on "chaos candidate" Donald Trump.  Rand Paul also had one of his better debates, making the case for a less interventionist foreign policy.

CNN reported that according to Nielsen Fast National ratings this debate was the "third most watched primary debate ever, averaging 18 million total viewers."


Undercard Debate

L-R: Pataki, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Lindsey Graham.                                                CNN

Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. E.T.

Post-Debate  |  video, 2  |   transcript

Sponsors:  CNN, Facebook and Salem Media Group.

Candidates:  Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, George Pataki, Rick Santorum.

ModeratorCNN Lead Political Ancher Wolf Blitzer, joined by CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash and Salem Radio Network talk show host Hugh Hewitt.

Audience:  About 1,300.

Broadcast:    "The debate will air live exclusively on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Español. CNN will also offer a live stream of the debate on CNN.com’s Home Page and across mobile platforms.  All users will be able to watch live CNN TV online and on their mobile devices without logging in. This live event will give viewers access to the debate across all platforms to showcase the value of TV Everywhere. In addition, Salem Radio Network will air the debate live through their broadcast radio stations."

Format:  Candidates had one minute and fifteen seconds to respond to questions and 30 seconds for follow ups and rebuttals.  One-minute introductions and 30-second closing statements.

Overview:  Gov. Bobby Jindal, who participated in all four of the undercard debates to date, ended his campaign on Nov. 17.  Former Gov. Jim Gilmore did not meet the criteria to participate.  CNN reported that this debate averaged 5.7 million total viewers.



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