Note: There was some question about whether all the candidates would agree to participate in the June 3, 2007 Democratic debate.  On April 30 Sen. Dodd's campaign sent out a release alluding to this possibility; on May 1 both Clinton and Obama committed to participating.

from CNN's "Political Ticker"
Posted 5/05/2007 12:39:00 PM

CNN to Make Presidential Debate Footage Available without Restrictions

As previously announced, CNN will team up with Hearst-Argyle's WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader to host two presidential debates to be held in America's first primary state. The debate featuring Democratic candidates will be held on Sunday, June 3, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the Republican debate will be held on Tuesday, June 5, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Due to the historical nature of presidential debates and the significance of these forums to the American public, CNN believes strongly that the debates should be accessible to the public. The candidates need to be held accountable for what they say throughout the election process.

The presidential debates are an integral part of our system of government, in which the American people have the opportunity to make informed choices about who will serve them. Therefore, CNN debate coverage will be made available without restrictions at the conclusion of each live debate.

We believe this is good for the country and good for the electoral process. This decision will apply to all of CNN's presidential debates, beginning with the upcoming New Hampshire debates in June.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is one of the world's most respected and trusted sources for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; four Web sites, including CNN.com, the first major news and information Web site; CNN Pipeline, CNN.com's premium live video news service; CNN Newsource, the world's most extensively syndicated news service; and partnerships for four television networks and two Web sites.


 

from CNN's "Political Ticker"
Posted 3/09/2007 07:37:00 PM

April presidential debates moved to June
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- CNN, Hearst Argyle's WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader have moved their back-to-back Republican and Democratic debates from the first week of April to the first week of June.

The change was made to accommodate candidates' schedules and offer the public the best possible debates.  New Hampshire plays a pivotal role in presidential elections, and CNN, WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader are committed to providing voters with this important opportunity to evaluate candidates.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer will moderate the debates with questions from WMUR-TV Political Director Scott Spradling and New Hampshire Union Leader Senior Political Reporter John DiStaso.  The debates will take place at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.  Both debates will be broadcast live throughout New Hampshire on WMUR and nationally on CNN, CNN Radio, CNN.com, WMUR.com and UnionLeader.com.  Additionally, WMUR and CNN Pipeline will create multiple real-time web components including off-air camera angles and additional real-time analysis in an unprecedented effort to enhance the on-line experience for the people of New Hampshire and the country.

These debates will provide candidates an important opportunity to introduce themselves and answer direct questions on the many challenges facing New Hampshire and the nation.


 

from CNN's "Political Ticker"
Posted 1/12/2007 04:00:00 PM

CNN/WMUR/Union Leader to host first presidential debates
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- New Hampshire's two leading news organizations will partner with CNN to host two presidential debates in April, executives with the three media companies announced Friday.

CNN, WMUR and The New Hampshire Union Leader will hold the back-to-back debates on April 4 and 5, the first such events to be held of the 2008 presidential campaign. CNN's Wolf Blitzer will moderate the debates with questions coming from WMUR's Scott Spradling and Union Leader's John DiStaso. WMUR's Jennifer Vaughn will be moderating questions from the audience. The debate will be televised live nationally on CNN and throughout New Hampshire on WMUR.

"We are thrilled to provide our viewers with the information to make the most informed decision possible when they are voting in their presidential primaries or caucusing," said CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein.

New Hampshire, a crucial proving ground for 2008 candidates, will be the first state to cast votes in the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. Republican and Democratic candidates have been visiting the Granite State since the conclusion of the 2004 presidential election in an effort to woo these influential voters in 2008.

"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 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."
 

-- CNN Political Editor Mark Preston


 

see also:
Gravel for President 2008 March 15, 2007 press release
Gravel for President 2008 March 19, 2007 press release