Would someone please explain to me the debate on April 5

[DebJ]

Other than the fact that CNN is carrying this, I haven't heard anything else concrete. Where will it be? Who will be there? Is this what someone referred to in another post as a presentation of candidates or something like that, where they will present positions but not do what is (incorrectly) referred to as televised debate?

[flpoljunkie]

1. CNN will co-host the NH debates with WMUR-TV and the NH Union Leader. Link below.

Well it appears that CNN will win the first to air race. The network announced its plans to cover two debates in New Hampshire with Wolf Blitzer as moderator. The debates are scheduled for April 4th and 5th. Honestly, does anyone, outside of the candidates and their advocates, really care at this point? It’s far too early. I could give you a whole list of factors that render not just CNN’s but MSNBC’s and FNC’s debates as ultimately relatively meaningless on the primary race as a whole. But I won’t…

CNN is teaming up with WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader to host “First in the Nation: Presidential Primary Debates,” two back-to-back debates to be held in America’s first primary state. Featuring Republican and Democratic presidential candidates, the debates will be held on consecutive evenings, Wednesday, April 4, and Thursday, April 5.

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, anchor of the daily political newscast The Situation Room and the Sunday public affairs program Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, will moderate the debates. Union Leader political columnist John DiStaso and WMUR political director Scott Spradling will lead the panel, and WMUR anchor Jennifer Vaughn will moderate questions from the live audience.

In addition to live prime-time airings on both CNN and WMUR, a live video stream of WMUR and in-depth coverage from the Union Leader will be offered. The debates’ impact will also be enhanced by CNN’s multiple platforms. The broadcasts will be made available to all CNN Radio affiliates worldwide. In addition, there will be special coverage on CNN.com; CNN Pipeline, CNN.com’s premium live news video service; CNN Podcasting; Headline News and CNN en Español.

“We are thrilled to host the first debates of this landmark election,” said CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein. “With an open field in both the Republican and Democratic parties, it is going to be vital for viewers to learn as much as possible about these candidates early on – particularly in unscripted settings like debates.”

“We think it only makes sense that the state with the first-in-the-nation primary also has the first-in-the-nation presidential debate,” said Jeff Bartlett, WMUR general manager. “Many candidates and potential candidates have already made numerous trips to New Hampshire, and we felt that April would be a good time for the voters here to get their first impression about how the candidates stack up against one another.”

Joseph W. McQuaid, president and publisher of the New Hampshire Union Leader, said, “The issues facing the next administration are as crucial as they have ever been for this country. It is not too early for the first primary state to present a forum to explore the views and the competence of serious candidates.”’

Information on the location and exact times of the two New Hampshire debates will be forthcoming.

http://insidecable.blogsome.com/2007/01/12/cnn-to-air-first-presidential-debates/

[DebJ]

2. Thanks!!