CNN and ABC News, owned by Disney, seek involvement in GOP primary: Report
CNN and Disney-Owned ABC News Are Trying to Get Involved in the GOP Primary: Report
Could Mickey Mouse and Wolf Blitzer team up to moderate a Republican primary debate anytime soon?
Probably not, but the Disney-owned ABC News and the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned CNN networks are, in fact, reportedly angling to get in on those debates, according to a new report from Politico.
Citing three unnamed people who were familiar with these discussions, Politico revealed that the Republican primary debates may extend beyond Wednesday’s debate in Alabama — a debate that, for now, is the final scheduled debate of the GOP primary.
According to the report, it does appear that ABC News has a more concrete idea of what it wants to do for these hypothetical GOP primary debates.
The Disney-owned news network is considering hosting a GOP primary debate just ahead of the Jan. 23 primary in New Hampshire.
Network officials are eyeing St. Anselm College in New Hampshire as the site for this debate.
A walk-through of the venue for network executives and the New Hampshire Republican Party was slated for today, though it’s unclear if that walk-through happened.
Conversely, CNN appears to be in a much more embryonic stage, as Politico noted that the embattled news network has only just “begun reaching out to the presidential campaigns to inform them of their interest in hosting a debate” and that “it is not clear when or where such an event would take place.”
While both CNN and ABC News can plan to their hearts content, there is one significant hurdle standing in the way of any potential debates happening after Wednesday night: the Republican National Committee.
Per Politico, each GOP primary candidate had pledged to only participated in officially sanctioned RNC debates — which debates on ABC News and CNN wouldn’t be.
If the RNC acquiesces to this, CNN and ABC News would both be free to use whatever format they prefer, as opposed to the agreed upon format the RNC-sanctioned debates have been using.
Whatever happens next, most of the primary candidates would probably welcome extra debates.
And that’s because most of them are facing a slog of an uphill battle to overtake the GOP primary frontrunner, former President Donald Trump — who has been conspicuous by his absence at each of the primary debates.
Trump, who holds a commanding 47.8 point lead in Real Clear Politics’ latest GOP primary polling data, has made it clear that he considers the debates a glorified contest for second-place behind himself.
Given that the polling data does appear to back up Trump’s claims, having more debates on national stages could theoretically help chip away at that seemingly insurmountable Trump lead.
After Trump, the next GOP primary candidate polling the highest is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is then trailed by (in order) former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
DeSantis (13.3 points) and Haley (10.2 points) are the only other two GOP primary candidates currently polling in the double-digits.
If no further debates materialize, all of the candidates not named Trump will have their work cut out for them to make up any ground on Wednesday night.
The post CNN and Disney-Owned ABC News Are Trying to Get Involved in the GOP Primary: Report appeared first on The Western Journal.
What are some of the concerns and controversies surrounding the selection process for hosts of primary debates?
Would not be. As such, unless the RNC changes its position on allowing these networks to host debates, it is unlikely that ABC News and CNN will be able to get involved in the GOP primary.
The idea of major news networks hosting primary debates is not new. In fact, it has become a staple of the political process in recent years. Networks like CNN and ABC News have previously hosted debates for both the Democratic and Republican parties. These debates are seen as an opportunity for candidates to showcase their ideas and policies while also allowing voters to get a better sense of who they are and what they stand for.
However, the process of selecting the hosts for these debates has often been a topic of controversy and speculation. Critics argue that certain networks may have biases and that their moderators may not be impartial. This has led to calls for greater transparency and fairness in the selection process.
Despite these concerns, it is important to remember that hosting a debate is a significant undertaking. It requires a tremendous amount of planning, coordination, and resources. Networks must find a suitable venue, organize the logistics, and ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day of the event. They also need to select knowledgeable and impartial moderators who can ask insightful questions and manage the discussion effectively.
Given the complexities involved, it is not surprising that networks like ABC News and CNN would be interested in hosting a GOP primary debate. These debates attract a large audience and provide a platform for candidates to reach potential voters. They also offer networks an opportunity to demonstrate their journalistic integrity and commitment to political coverage.
However, the decision ultimately rests with the Republican National Committee. As the governing body of the party, they have the final say on which networks are allowed to host debates. Their primary concern is to ensure a fair and unbiased process that allows candidates to present their ideas and engage in meaningful discussion.
In conclusion, while ABC News and CNN may be angling to get involved in the GOP primary debates, the final decision rests with the Republican National Committee. It remains to be seen whether these networks will be able to overcome the hurdle of the RNC’s sanctioning requirements. Regardless, the desire of major news networks to host these debates underscores the importance of open and transparent political discourse in our democracy.
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