“Election Drama Heats Up! CNN & ABC to Host GOP Presidential Debates in Iowa & New Hampshire
Breaking news: CNN and ABC will be hosting GOP presidential debates in Iowa and New Hampshire next year.
The Republican National Committee announced recently that CNN and ABC will co-host two debates for the Republican presidential candidates in February of 2021. The debates will occur in new Hampshire and Iowa – two important early nominating states – and will serve as an introduction to the national primary election season.
The dates for the debates have yet to be determined, but are expected to occur shortly before the first primaries. The debates will provide each candidate crucial television exposure and allow them to showcase their policy ideas and appeal to voters.
This will mark the first time that two cable news outlets will serve as co-hosts of a major party’s debates. CNN has a longstanding relationship with the RNC, having served as one of the GOP’s exclusive debate partners since 2008. This will be ABC’s first foray into GOP debates; previously, the network hosted debates for the 2016 Democratic primary season.
The Iowa caucuses are particularly important for Republican presidential candidates, given the state’s conservative-leaning population. The GOP has had considerable success in the state in recent elections – Donald Trump won the 2016 Iowa caucuses – and a strong showing in the debates could help boost a candidate’s profile and help them gain momentum in the early nominating states.
The exact format and questions for the debates have yet to be determined, but they are sure to focus heavily on the role the federal government should play in the lives of its citizens, and what policies should be adopted to help the nation recover from the current recession. Additionally, candidates may be asked to defend their past statements and policies, as well as address issues that are unique to each state.
The debates will be an important test for the future of the Republican Party. They will prove whether or not the party pedigree is still a strong powerful force in 2020, or if the challenge from outsider candidates will prove to be too difficult to overcome.
These debates promise to be a fascinating showdown between well-known politicians and emerging maverick candidates alike. Stay tuned for more details as the RNC prepares for this crucial showdown in Iowa and New Hampshire.