Primary Debates and Forums

CNN Republican Presidential Primary Debate in Miami 
Thursday, March 10, 2016 in Bank United Center at the University of Miami in Miami, FL.
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L-R: Rubio, Trump, Cruz, Kasich.                                                                                                                                                      CNN 

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Post-Debate  |  video, 2  |  transcript

Sponsors:  CNN, Salem Media Group and the Washington Times.

Candidates: Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump.

Moderators: CNN Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper.  Questions from Washington Times reporter Stephen Dinan, CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash, and Salem Radio's Hugh Hewitt.

Format:  One minute and 15 seconds to answer each question, and 45 seconds to respond to followups or for rebuttals (times longer than in most debates thus far).  30-second opening statements.  One-minute closing statements.

Overview:  The twelfth Republican debate occurred five days before March 15 primaries in FL, IL, MO, NC and OH.  After a series of disappointing showings in primaries Marco Rubio's candidacy appeared in jeopardy, and most observers were saying he needed to win the primary in his home state of Florida to continue.  The tone was much improved from the last two debates, as the candidates focused on issues rather than personal attacks.  Moderator Jake Tapper said at the outset, "Our goal this evening is a serious debate on the issues."