WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (UPI) — The Republican National Committee severed ties with NBC for an upcoming presidential debate, instead choosing to partner with CNN.
The RNC’s debate committee voted unanimously Monday night to pull out of an arrangement with NBC for the Feb. 25 debate — scheduled one week before “Super Tuesday,” when Republicans in 14 states go to the polls and caucuses.
“The Republican National Committee has decided to move forward without NBC’s participation in our February debate in Houston, Texas. The RNC has awarded the debate to CNN, who will broadcast it on Thursday, February 25th in Houston at a location to be decided,” RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement.
The decision is a blow to NBC, which hosted the Democratic national debate Sunday. The RNC had suspended their relationship with NBC News after the Republican presidential debate on Oct. 28 in Boulder, Colo. The committee claimed the debate was poorly handled, and focused mostly on “gotcha” questions.
“While debates are meant to include tough questions and contrast candidates’ visions and policies for the future of America, CNBC’s moderators engaged in a series of ‘gotcha’ questions, petty and mean-spirited in tone, and designed to embarrass our candidates,” RNC Chairman Reince Priebus wrote in a statementfollowing the October debate.
Politico reported an NBC spokesperson did not return a request for comment.
CNN reported the RNC will still partner with NBCUniversal-owned Telemundo and the National Review as well as Salem Communications, CNN’s conservative partner for debates.
